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Ald. Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) joined a City Council transportation hearing to oppose the proposed Amtrak Maintenance Facility, thanking residents who spoke against the proposal. The Pui Tak Center received a $750,000 grant for building restoration; it will participate in Open House Chicago on October 17.

Ald. Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) urged residents to attend a Chicago Transportation Committee subject matter hearing on October 7 at City Hall to oppose the proposed Amtrak Maintenance Facility, and she also highlighted that City Council approved a revised parking meter deal as part of the “Fall Budget Season” preparations. She noted additional City Council activity including deferred rental tenant ordinance proposals (PRO vs. FAIR), upcoming public-safety/police-and-fire and finance/aviation/economic-development committee meetings, and referenced ongoing ward construction/utility work and a Peoples Gas remediation cleanup at 2730 S. Eleanor Street. Other announcements include early voting starting now for the Nov. 3 election, an Oct. 17 shredding/electronics recycling event, Oct. 9 veterans office hours, and weekend/community events such as Ricobene’s 80th anniversary and various neighborhood celebrations.

Alderman Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) highlighted City Council and committee action related to parking and development/study processes tied to the Amtrak Maintenance Facility/White Sox project, including a resolution calling for a subject-matter hearing, third-party environmental review, and more community transparency; she also noted a Finance Committee-advanced ordinance to transfer the remaining Chicago Parking Meter lease to Stonepeak Partners, LLC (including a $75 million one-time fee and related contract terms). She further provided notice of a proposed zoning change community meeting for 350 W. 30th St and reported ongoing street and bridge work, including bridge motor work on the Halsted St. and 22nd St. bridge and planned future CDOT timing updates. Other items included reminders about upcoming community safety conversations and the 911 system rollout, plus ward events and programs such as the Stamp-EAT event and Made in Bridgeport Fest.

In Alderman Nicole T. Lee’s 11th Ward newsletter, she reports moving forward a Finance Committee ordinance to require a three-fifths vote for future city bond/debt authorizations, and discusses a potential parking-meter deal with Stonepeak that includes a 5% profit share and a $75 million transfer fee; she also notes multiple renter protection ordinances progressing in Council. She highlights a community zoning meeting on Sept. 28 for 350 W. 30th St., plus ongoing ward infrastructure work and street closures (including multiple repaving/grinding operations). Other major updates include the City Council committee schedule, an Amtrak maintenance facility fight after a second community meeting (now recorded), and announcements such as Made in Bridgeport Fest (Sept. 27), veterans office hours (Oct. 9), and a shredding/electronics recycling event (Oct. 17).

Alderman Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) highlights the renewed Amtrak meeting being rescheduled for September 17, 6:30 pm at the Pui Tak Center (with requests for translation and advance materials denied), and urges residents to attend as the project proceeds under “federal statutory exemptions” without City approval; she also notes City Council committee meetings restarting with the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations and lists upcoming Finance, Economic/Capital/Technology Development, Police and Fire, and Full City Council meetings. Other ward items include an upcoming zoning meeting on September 14 (two locations), street/road work and closures such as emerald avenue milling/repaving and CDOT/utility projects, plus ward events like the Evergreen Health & Wellness ribbon cutting and community block parties/award ceremonies.

In the 11th Ward newsletter, Alderwoman Nicole T. Lee reports on upcoming City Council committee meetings (including the Committee on the Budget and Ethics on Sept. 9 and Finance on Sept. 14–21, plus Economic/Capital/Technology Development on Sept. 15 and Police and Fire on Sept. 22) and announces an in-person/on-Zoom zoning meeting for 2125–27 S. Archer on Sept. 14. The main policy focus is her and Commissioner Daley’s campaign against Amtrak’s proposed 24/7 maintenance facility and related proposals that could affect local schools and parks; she also notes letters sent to Amtrak and that Amtrak will hold a virtual board meeting on Sept. 9 at 10:30 a.m., with a Sept. 8 press conference at 35th and Shields. Other items include ongoing ward street/work updates (repaving and Parnell Ave./Peoples Gas projects), a reported FBI investigation into an attempted U.S. Bank robbery in Chinatown, and ward announcements such as free “Stop Amtrak” signs and a free Constituent Education Resource Card for 2026 visits.

Ald. Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) provided an update on her campaign to stop the proposed Amtrak Midwest Maintenance Facility from moving into the ward, including postponing a second community meeting (rescheduled when more information and the full development team are available), sending FOIA and letters to federal officials, and noting that a foundation building-permit filing is currently on hold for zoning review. She also shared upcoming City Council committee dates and other ward events, including office hours and municipal/public safety updates. Other announcements include mural and back-to-school events in the ward and street/construction notices such as Emerald Ave. repaving, work on S. Parnell Ave., and Peoples Gas environmental remediation at 2730 S. Eleanor St.

Alderman Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) addressed concerns about an Amtrak proposal using federal funding to build a new 24/7 rail maintenance facility at the Union Pacific Canal Yard (between Lots C and G at Sox Park). She reports that two community meetings were held, asks Amtrak to postpone the second meeting for more answers, has requested a legal review of the deal, and has sought the full DOT grant proposal; she also raised concerns about potential impacts on future development along 35th Street and reiterated opposition to moving the White Sox from 35th and Shields. In other updates, Lee’s newsletter previews upcoming City Council committee meetings (Finance Sept. 14; Economic, Capital, and Technology Development Sept. 15; full Council Sept. 23), notes street repaving and construction/closure schedules, and highlights upcoming ward events including an Amtrak community meeting at Pui Tak Center (Aug. 26) and CPD charity games at Sox Park (Aug. 27 and Aug. 28).

In Alderman Nicole T. Lee’s 11th Ward newsletter, she highlights multiple upcoming/just-held community zoning meetings (Aug. 10) and warns residents about an Amtrak plan for nearly $700M to create a maintenance facility near 33rd & Canal—urging strong participation in two community meetings (Aug. 20 and Aug. 26) and opposing potential federal tax/zoning exemptions. She also previews upcoming City Council committee sessions (Finance Sept. 14; Economic/Capital/Tech Development Sept. 15; Council Sept. 16) and shares Ward updates including street repaving/closures and ongoing sewer/streetlight/utility restoration work. Other announcements include Beat 914/913 police meetings (Aug. 26 and Sept. 8), CPS returning Aug. 24, Office veterans hours Sept. 11 (12–4PM), and several ward/community events such as Back-to-School activities at Bosley Park & Holden Elementary and local cultural celebrations (Velika Gospa, Feast of St. Rocco).

In Alderman Nicole T. Lee’s 11th Ward newsletter, she announces two upcoming hybrid zoning meetings for 3539/3541/3545 S. Union (Aug. 10) and 295 S. Bonaparte (Aug. 10). She also shares an update that a major traffic study for Halsted to Canal and Pershing to 26th Street should complete recommendations in fall, and notes ongoing street/paving and utility restoration work across the ward. Other highlights include National Night Out at Armour Square, a new mural under the Cermak viaduct, tours of the Chinese American Service League Community Hub and St. Mary’s Catacombs Coffee Shop, and multiple back-to-school and veterans’ assistance events (plus ongoing street closures during construction).

Alderman Nicole T. Lee’s 11th Ward newsletter highlights upcoming zoning meetings for addresses at 3539/3541/3545 S. Union and at 295 S. Bonaparte (Aug. 10), while also flagging concerns about instability from the abrupt resignation of City CFO Steven Mahr ahead of October budget guidance and an extended CPD superintendent search timeline after Superintendent Snelling’s retirement. The newsletter also notes several ward events, including National Night Out at Armour Square Park (Aug. 4) and a Back To School Bash with a resource fair (Aug. 12), plus Veterans’ Assistance Office Hours (Aug. 14) and ongoing street repaving/construction updates. It concludes with non-policy announcements such as a Chinatown library/White Sox reading event and condolences for the passing of Raymond M. Chin.

In Alderman Nicole T. Lee’s 11th Ward newsletter, the City Council meeting (July 26) focused on proposed nonbinding referendums for the November and February ballots, including a resolution urging the City to pursue lawful recovery of costs tied to federal ICE operations. The main zoning/development items are two upcoming hybrid zoning meetings on August 10 for 3539, 3541, and 3545 S. Union and 295 S. Bonaparte. The newsletter also highlights ongoing road and utility work (including 33rd Street repaving and sewer/water main/lead service line work on Pershing Road) and announcements such as National Night Out (Aug. 4), Back To School Bash (Aug. 12), and the Chinatown Summer Fair (July 25–26).

In the 11th Ward, Alderwoman Nicole T. Lee introduced an alternative ordinance to the Mayor’s proposed rental housing rule changes and noted a budget mid-year hearing where concerns were raised about zero-revenue categories; she also backed TIF funding for The 78 and pushed for public meetings on major stages, including questions about the Wells–Wentworth Connector bike path timeline. The newsletter also highlights upcoming zoning hearings (Aug. 10) and provides ward event updates such as National Night Out (Aug. 4), Chinatown Summer Fair (July 25–26), and Beat 914 (July 29).

Alderman Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) highlighted a final public open house and ongoing public comment for the “Moving Archer Forward” planning study affecting land use/zoning and transit-oriented development near the CTA Orange Line (comments due Aug. 6), and discussed the 11th Ward’s public meeting on the proposed $400+ million TIF for The 78 project—covering Phase 1 infrastructure plans, including river wall reinforcement and a city-owned 1,200-spot parking structure, plus traffic/access concerns ahead of the Finance Committee hearing. She also noted upcoming hybrid zoning meetings for addresses at 3539, 3541, and 3545 S. Union (Aug. 10) and provided City Council/committee updates tied to the FY 2026 budget and a voting-access hearing, plus ward events and notices such as Night Out in the Park (July 17) and the Chinatown Summer Fair (July 25–26). Other major items included storm-debris cleanup follow-up, ongoing street and utility construction/closures (e.g., Pershing Rd water/sewer/lead service line work and ComEd/Peoples Gas updates), and a public safety update about CPD recovering dozens of guns after an assault-related incident.

Alderman Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) reports that the Committee on Housing and Real Estate Development held a subject-matter hearing on Mayor Johnson’s proposed “Protecting Renters Ordinance,” and she plans to review the ordinance and hear resident feedback. She also highlights an upcoming City Council vote likely on July 15 regarding a TIF request for infrastructure tied to the “The 78” mega-development (a Fire soccer stadium) after grounding, with a virtual community meeting scheduled July 10; additionally, CPD Supt. Larry Snelling’s July 15 resignation is covered, along with a COPA subject matter hearing. Other ward updates include a recorded community zoning meeting for 3439 S. Morgan, multiple upcoming community events/open houses (including “Moving Archer Forward” on July 8 and Night Out in the Park on July 17), and ongoing street/utility construction and break-ins at 35th & Halsted (Stussy’s) and 31st & Morgan (Zaytune’s).

In the 11th Ward, Alderman Nicole T. Lee reported City Council Finance Committee subject matter hearing coverage on Mayor Johnson’s proposal to change parking meter ownership/lease—potentially selling the meters’ lease from Chicago Parking Meters LLC to Stonepeak—while also citing concerns about transparency and the bidding/back-buy offer history. She also highlighted a zoning meeting notice for 3439 S. Morgan and noted progress on ward street work including water/sewer/lead service line replacement on Pershing Road and active sewer installation and restoration phases around 3500–3900 S. Parnell Ave. Other major announcements/events included Kidical Mass, an Officer Appreciation Lunch at the Chicago Police Department 9th District, the first-ever Chinatown Community Picnic at Ping Tom Park, a Taylor-Lauridsen Park tour of new security cameras funded via her “menu” budget, Camp Courage at Horizon Science Academy, and extreme-heat safety reminders; upcoming events included a July 8 Moving Archer Forward open house, July 11 Bridgeport Mega Yard Sale, and a June 29 community zoning meeting.

In the City Council, Ald. Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) supported approving a motion to buy the building housing the Greyhound bus terminal and to fund upgrades to heating/cooling and add security. She also voted against Ald. Raymond Lopez’s proposed substitute ordinance on “teen takeovers” after concerns about vague language, undefined terms, and penalties without a clear service plan; Lee also introduced a municipal code amendment to tighten licensing of massage establishments tied to illegal activity and a resolution calling for a CPD Victim Services subject-matter hearing. On the policy/budget and development front, the mayor’s plan to use TIF funding for the redevelopment of the 78 parcel (including river wall, Metra improvements, and public structures) was discussed as something Lee will review, and Lee notes upcoming committee meetings including a 6/25 Finance hearing on transferring Chicago parking meters. Other ward items include community zoning meetings on 6/22 (345 W 25th Place) and 6/29 (3439 S. Morgan), ward events like Motoblot, the Ping Tom Dragon Boat Race, and the St. Barbara Church Carnival, plus Chinatown Community Picnic (June 28) and the Bridgeport Mega Yard Sale (July 11).

Alderman Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) reported on upcoming City Council and committee business, including the June 15 Committee on Finance meeting on replacing ShotSpotter, plus plans with CDOT for Complete Streets next phase on 35th Street (Halsted to Ashland) and an update/traffic safety work along the Halsted corridor. She also said she signed a letter opposing a plan to sell Chicago parking meters and is voting “no,” and noted June 22 and June 29 community zoning meetings for 345 W 25th Place and 3439 S. Morgan. Other updates included recovery from severe weather (tree debris and power/streetlight impacts), a memorial for Riley O’Neil, and ward events like Motoblot (Halsted 35th–37th), a Dragon Boat Race for Literacy, and a parish carnival (June 18–21).

In the 11th Ward newsletter, Alderman Nicole T. Lee highlights ongoing CDOT work and street safety efforts, including a plan to expand protected bike lanes on 35th Street via the Smart Streets program (from Halsted to Ashland, still in planning) and a commissioned traffic study for traffic calming/possible greenway options; she also notes safety-focused Smart Streets/traffic improvements like curb bumpouts and speed cameras. She reports that City Council committee meetings scheduled for June 3 (ShotSpotter and a proposed transfer of the city’s parking meter agreement) were cancelled, and she summarizes discussion at the Ramova quarterly meeting on infrastructure, public safety, economic development, and a process for Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) with a goal of having it in place by fall. Other major items include Pride Month and upcoming events (including movies in the park and Flag Day), plus ward updates on zoning at 2878 S. Throop with feedback accepted until June 22 and information on upcoming constituent office hours and workshops.

Alderman Nicole T. Lee (11th Ward) highlights an 11th Ward Town Hall on May 31 to discuss public safety and infrastructure projects, including a community-driven process for approving additional dwelling units (ADUs). In City Council committees, she attended CPS’s education subject-matter hearing (including a quarterly budget update) and a joint hearing on the Chicago Police Department Workforce Allocation Study; she also points to upcoming June 3 hearings on gun detection technology/ShotSpotter replacement and on transferring the City’s parking meter deal. Other announcements include ward events like a June 7 Corpus Christi procession, June 11 Movies in the Park (GOAT at Bosley Park), and June 12 Flag Day ceremonies, plus a June 1 community zoning meeting at 2878 S. Throop regarding a B2-3 change allowing retail or residential use on the first floor.