Early Voting started downtown this week!
You can now vote early for the November election at two downtown locations, 137 S. State St and 69 W. Washington.
If you need to update your information or register to vote, you can do so at these sites (click here to learn more about accepted forms of ID).
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Green and Pink Line Service Impacts
October 13-26, 2026
Due to ongoing Chicago Department of Transportation work to replace the Lake Street Bridge, Green and Pink Line service will be interrupted between Clinton and the Clark/Lake stations. This service interruption is scheduled to begin at 4am on October 13th and will conclude at 4am on October 26.
As part of this work, Milwaukee will be closed from Canal to Fulton between October 5th and October 30th.
Green Line trains will run in two sections:
- Green Line trains will make all stops between Harlem/Lake and Clinton stations with riders connecting to free bus substitutions between Clinton and Clark/Lake stations.
- Green Line trains will make all stops between Ashland/63rd or Cottage Grove and Loop stations with riders connecting to free bus substitutions between Clark/Lake and Clinton Stations. Trains will make all stops around the entire Loop, following the Orange Line direction and platforms.
Pink Line trains will connect to Blue Line-Racine station for connecting service to downtown:
- Pink line trains will make all stops between 54th/Cermak and Polk stations and then connect to Racine Station where riders will transfer to Blue Line trains for continuing service downtown.
- Pink Line riders going to/from Ashland, Morgan, Clinton stations or West Loop transfer to 9/X9 Ashland buses near either Polk or Racine stations or other north-south bus routes (free transfer when you tap).
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City Council Updates
At Tuesday's City Council meeting, we approved a change in control of Chicago's parking meters. Under the agreement, the City receives $75 million upfront plus 5% of Calculated Net Income for the remainder of the concession, with a present value to taxpayers at approximately $139.2 million. I supported this revised deal and believe it is a win for taxpayers.
I also voted to pass an ordinance requiring 60% approval of Council before the City takes on additional debt. Our debt load, roughly $2 billion this year, is a silent killer on our budget, and risks crowding out our ability to fund parks, schools, and police. Before we take on additional borrowing, there should be broad consensus to show this is necessary and prudent.
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Michigan Avenue Bus Lane
In collaboration with the Chicago Department of Transportation, the CTA is set to install a dedicated bus lane on northbound Michigan Avenue between Roosevelt and Wacker. With more than 7 million passengers annually, this 1.5 mile dedicated bus lane will make the 21 bus routes on Michigan faster and more reliable. These buses will also be equipped with a camera as part of the Smart Streets Pilot Program, which automatically issues tickets for standing and moving violations in bus and bike lanes.
This project will add red paint to identify the bus lane, and installation is weather-dependent. I look forward to working with the Chicago Transit Authority and the Department of Transportation to improve transit across the 34th Ward.
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Sheridan Park Pumpkin Patch
October 3, 10am-2pm
Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen
Join my office and the Chicago Park District for the annual Sheridan Park Pumpkin Patch, happening this Saturday, October 3rd. This event offers fun for the whole family, including a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and crafts. Learn more here.
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Serve as a Poll Worker for the November 3rd General Election!
The Chicago Board of Elections is seeking poll workers for the November 3, 2026 General Election, including bilingual election judges who speak Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, and Tagalog. To learn more and apply, please visit the Chicago Board of Elections website.
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Help Keep Chicago Clean!
By picking up your trash and disposing of your recycling in the blue carts, you can take a big step toward making sure our streets, parks, schools, libraries, beaches, and businesses look their best. Find resources to help you become a cleanup champion here.
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VFW Scholarships
Apply by October 31, 2026
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is offering two scholarships for students. The Patriot's Pen scholarship is designated for students in grades 6 -8 and is an essay writing contest. The Voice of Democracy scholarship is designated for grades 9-12 and is an audio recorded essay.
Click the images below to learn more and apply.
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Pet Blessing
Friday, October 2, 5:30pm
Mary Bartelme Park, 115 S. Sangamon St.
Bring your best friend for a special Pet Blessing as Old St. Pat's celebrates the Feast Day of St. Francis!
All are welcome to join for this special blessing of our beloved pets. Dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles, fish, and all pets are welcome.
There will be free treats and a special gift for both you and your pet!
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Green City Market - West Loop
Saturdays from 8am-1pm
900 W. Monroe
The West Loop Green City Market is open on Saturdays on Monroe from Peoria to Sangamon! Due to upcoming fall events in our community on Saturdays, we will not be tabling at the market for the rest of this season.
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Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Saturday office hours this summer, and keep an eye out in this newsletter for other upcoming events!
Green City Market brings dozens of local farmers and food producers to our neighborhood every Saturday from May to November. To see what vendors participate across Green City Market's locations, click here.
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South Loop Farmers Market
Printers Row Park, 632 S. Dearborn St
Saturdays from 9am-1pm
The South Loop Farmers Market is back at Printers Row Park for another season! Stop by on Saturdays through October 31 to support local businesses and connect with neighbors.
Daley Plaza Farmers Market
50 W. Washington
Thursdays from 7am-2pm
Visit Daley Plaza on Thursdays from 7am-2pm for the Daley Plaza Farmers Market! This market hosts a variety of vendors, with offerings from fresh produce to prepared foods and more.
The Farmer at the Green
The Green at 320, 320 S. Canal
Tuesdays from 11am-3pm
The Farmer at the Green opens for another season at 320 S. Canal on June 2nd! This season runs until September 29 and brings over 25 local vendors selling seasonal produce, fresh floral arrangements, handmade goods, and artisanal products.
Chicago Vegan Farmers Market
Skinner Park, 1331 W. Monroe
Fridays, 4-8pm
Visit Skinner Park for the City's only all-vegan farmers market, beginning this Friday and running through September 25th! For updates on the market, visit their Instagram.
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Know Your Rights Resources
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Turn Lights Off to Protect Migratory Birds
Every spring and fall, millions of birds travel through the Chicago area. For more than two decades, Chicago has been a leader in light reduction efforts to protect these migratory birds. Please join participating buildings and turn lights off after 11 p.m. until daylight during migration and help save birds.
To learn more, visit the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors' website.
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West Loop Historic Plaques Project
The West Loop is steeped in history. In fact, we have 19 historical designations, four historic plaques, and one Chicago Landmarks plaque.
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Four more historic plaques are coming to the West Loop in 2026, including a UIC classroom, a condo building, and two parks!
To see the rest of the designations, please visit Connie Fairbanks' website.
If you live in a historic building in The West Loop and have historical information about your building you would like to share, please reach out to Connie to learn the process of installing your very own historic plaque!
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CAPS Meetings
Please join my team at upcoming CAPS meetings with the 1st and 12th Police Districts. CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) meetings are a great opportunity to meet with police, neighbors, and my team about local safety initiatives. To find your beat, click here. I hope you can join us at these meetings!
Next week, there are three beat meetings in the 12th District:
- Beat 1224: Tuesday, September 29, 5:45pm
- Beat 1232: Wednesday, September 30, 5:45pm
- Academy Square Apartments, 318 S. Throop
- Beat 1232: Wednesday, September 30, 7pm
- Saint Francis of Assisi Church, 813 W. Roosevelt
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Camera Registration Program
When a crime occurs, Police Officers and Detectives canvass the area looking for evidence to determine what occurred. Video footage can greatly assist in their efforts.
If you have a private security camera that captures the public way and you are interested in assisting in an investigation in the event of a crime in your neighborhood, you can register your camera with the Chicago Police Department.
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By registering your camera, you are simply allowing the Chicago Police Department to contact you in the event of a crime in your area. CPD will not have direct access to your camera system and cannot access camera footage without your consent. This is a free and voluntary program. Learn more on the program website.
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Columbus Day Parade parking restrictions & street closures
Parade steps off at noon on Monday, October 12
Staging will be on Wacker, from Wabash to Franklin
Closures on Wacker will begin at 9:00am
No Parking restrictions begin at 7:00am – both sides of the street
Parade will start at 12:00 noon, at Dearborn & Lake St. and proceed south to Jackson, where it will disband.
Dearborn closures will begin at 10:00am
All east/west streets will be closed starting at 11:00am.
No Parking restrictions on Dearborn, Wacker to Van Buren and on all east/west streets leading to Dearborn will begin at 7:00am – both sides of the street
Disbanding area will be on Van Buren, from State to Franklin
No Parking restrictions will begin at 7:00am – both sides of the street
All streets should be reopened by 3:00pm
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34th Ward Infrastructure Improvements
All dates subject to change based on weather.
With any questions about planned infrastructure improvements, please email [email protected] or call 312-744-6820.
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Street Resurfacing Projects
- 900 block of S. Carpenter - completed
- W. Polk St., from S. Wells to S. Financial - completed
- W. Quincy, from S. Desplaines to end of street - completed
- W. Rundell, from S. Morgan to S. Aberdeen - completed
- W. Marble, from S. Dearborn to S. Clark - TBA
- W. Warren, from N. Desplaines to end of street - completed
- N. May, from W. Madison to W. Washington - completed
- W. Gladys, from S. Racine to S. Throop - scheduled to begin 10/6
- S. Throop, from W. Congress to W. Harrison - scheduled to begin 10/6
Stamped Crosswalks
- W. Taylor & S. Carpenter - completed
- W. Taylor & S. Aberdeen - Fall 2026
- W. Taylor & S. Miller - Fall 2026
- W. Taylor & S. May - Fall 2026
Alley Improvement Projects
- N/S alley bounded by Adams, Jackson, Wabash to State - completed
- N/S alley bounded by Arthington, Taylor, Carpenter to Aberdeen - completed
- N/S alley bounded by Lake, Jefferson, Fulton to Desplaines - completed
New Alley Reconstruction Project
- E/W alley bounded by Lytle, Ada, Lexington to Flournoy - completed with punch list items to follow
Curb & Gutter Improvement Projects
- 901 - 927 S. Aberdeen - completed
- 103 - 109 S. Aberdeen - completed (restoration from fiber optic)
- 231-241 S. Jefferson - under construction
- 1004 W. Tilden - under construction
- 110 -120 S. Sangamon - completed
Alley Apron Replacement Projects
- 929 S. Aberdeen - completed
- 14 N. Peoria - under construction
Sidewalk Projects
- 1167 W. Madison - completed
- 1221 S. Wabash - completed
- 125 S. Sangamon - completed with punch list items to follow
Bump Out Installation
- W. Polk & S. LaSalle - completed
- W. Polk & S. Financial - completed
- S. Jefferson & W. Tilden - under construction
- W. Adams & S. Peoria - scheduled to begin in October
Residential Lighting Projects
- 1200 & 1300 blocks of W. Flournoy - new poles installed - punch list items to follow
- 1000 & 1100 blocks of W. Polk St. - all poles will be installed by the end of next week, with restoration to follow.
CDOT Electrical Improvement Projects
- W. Tilden, from S. Desplaines to S. Canal - currently in progress
- S. Jefferson, from W. Jackson to W. Tilden - currently in progress
- W. Van Buren, from S. Desplaines to S. Canal - currently in progress
Speed Indicator Signs
- S. Loomis, from W. Congress Pkwy. to W. Harrison (CWLA request) - coming Fall 2026
- S. Wells, from W. Harrison to W. Polk - coming Fall 2026
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State/Lake Station Closure
On Monday, January 5th, the State/Lake elevated station closed for demolition and the construction of a new, fully accessible station. The new station is expected to be finished in 2029.
- Southbound State Street remains closed from Wacker Drive to Randolph Street for underground utility repairs along with upcoming foundation removals and steel renovations in the intersection. The closure will remain in place throughout the year.
- Lake Street between Dearborn Street and Wabash Avenue remains closed. Follow marked detours in the area.
Local business and driveway access on State Street will be maintained during the closures, and at least one sidewalk will be open at all times for pedestrians. The underground CTA Red Line train station at Lake will remain open.
Upcoming Key Work Activities in 2026:
- Water main replacement on Lake Street.
- Retention system installation on State Street.
- Caisson installation on Lake Street.
- Micro-pile installation on Lake Street.
- Structural steel bent reconstruction on Lake Street.
These activities may result in louder noise and some vibrations in the area. Visit the project website to learn how the team is working to reduce these impacts.
Please note, all work is weather dependent.
To learn more about construction at the State/Lake station and local impacts, visit the CTA's website.
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Work is underway for the Canal Street Viaduct reconstruction.
Canal – Jackson to Van Buren
- On Friday, May 15, the contractor began work on the western portion of the Jackson intersection. The first phase of work will occur in the southwest portion. The second phase will then shift operations to the northwest portion of the intersection.
- The bus depot located at the southwest corner of Jackson and Canal will remain open throughout construction. Each phase is anticipated to last approximately four to six weeks.
Canal – Van Buren Intersection
- Framing for Stage 1 of the Van Buren intersection is underway. Deck placement is anticipated in early summer, followed by a stage switch to the northeast portion of the intersection.
If you have any questions, please email the project email address at [email protected].
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Lake Street Bascule Bridge Rehabilitation
Closure started on 10/6
The full street and sidewalk closure on the Lake Street Bascule Bridge is in effect and will last until January 2028. During the closures, access to nearby buildings and residences will be maintained for both pedestrians and vehicles.
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Eastbound traffic will be rerouted south on Des Plaines, east on Washington, north on Franklin, and east onto Lake St. Westbound traffic will be rerouted south on Wacker, west on Madison, north on Jefferson, and west onto Lake St. Click here for the full detour map. During this work, CTA Green and Pink lines will operate normally until September 2026. The work on the Lake Street Bascule Bridge is expected to be completed in January 2028.
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West Bridge House: Daytime construction activities are ongoing. Concrete work has progressed, and the new walls now extend above sidewalk level. Construction of the stairs leading to the Riverwalk level is anticipated in the coming weeks, followed by installation of a new, historically accurate copper roof.
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West Bridge Leaf: Structural steel repairs remain underway. Fabrication and assembly of the float-in leaf are complete. Electrical and track installation continue at the off-site assembly yard while crews prepare for the west leaf float-in operation.
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East Bridge Leaf: Fabrication activities have begun.
150 N. Riverside Upper Riverwalk Access: Pedestrian access from Lake Street to the 150 N. Riverside Plaza Upper Riverwalk is now open.
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Ashland/I-290 Expressway Viaduct Work
Traffic management is currently being implemented on Ashland Av from Flournoy St to Jackson St to facilitate the reconstruction of the west side of the Ashland Ave bridge.
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The project is anticipated to be significantly completed by October 2026.
The contractor is working on the reconstruction of the medians located north and south of the Ashland Ave bridge. The contractor is using daily lane closures to perform the remaining work on Ashland Ave within the project limits.
For road construction updates and general travel information please visit IDOT’s Getting Around Illinois website.
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The City of Chicago and Cook County are hiring! View their respective job posting sites below:
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Events at the National Hellenic Museum
333 S. Halsted
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The Odyssey Reimagined
Opens to the public on 10/1!
The exhibition brings together contemporary artists to interpret the enduring themes of Homer’s nearly 3,000-year-old Odyssey through painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, and sound. Each generation has returned to the story from a different place and perspective, and these artists are continuing that tradition, inviting us to do the same.
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Homerathon
October 29, 12:30-8:00pm
October 30, 10:00 AM-4:00pm
Take your part in the epic journey of The Odyssey and join NHM for Homerathon, as we partner with UIC Chicago’s Department of Classic and Mediterranean Studies to bring Homer’s timeless tale to life, read aloud from beginning to end.
Sign up to read a passage or simply stop by to listen as the story unfolds.
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Events at Old St. Pat's
Courageous Conversation on Race VII: Voting Rights & Responsibilities
Sunday, October 4, 6:00–7:45 p.m.
Hughes Hall, 700 W. Adams St.
Who gets to vote—and why does it matter?
Join Old St. Pat’s members for dinner and an interactive, non-partisan conversation exploring the history, meaning, and responsibilities of voting in America.
Together, they'll examine how race has shaped voting rights and elections, including key constitutional amendments, laws, and Supreme Court decisions. They'll explore who could vote, who could not, and why, as well as how the Electoral College works and current voting-rights issues.
Join in person or via Zoom. A Zoom link will be emailed to pre-registered participants two days before the event.
Courageous Conversations is sponsored by the Old St. Pat’s Racial Equity & Justice Initiative (REJI).
DINNER IS FREE — ALL ARE WELCOME
Register for Courageous Conversation VII
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Volunteer with Hope's Table!
The Hope’s Table ministry is designed to serve the needs of Chicagoans who are homeless or hungry and is sponsored by First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple.
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Saturday morning services typically include serving hot meals and food to go, distributing clothing, and connecting guests with legal support through DePaul University’s Neighborhood Legal Assistance Program. Grace Episcopal Church partners in many ways, most visibly by providing space at 637 S. Dearborn. To volunteer or donate, please contact their volunteer coordinator.
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Helping Cats Near You
4th Sunday of every month, 4pm - 6pm
Details here.
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Discuss how to help community cats through TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), what to do with kittens, ongoing colony management, preventing nuisance issues and much more!
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