Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward alderman, announced a virtual Oct. 14 community meeting on rezoning 5036–5044 N. Ashland for a five-story, 35-unit building with seven affordable units; his ordinance to expand Smart Streets camera enforcement citywide is also being heard in committee. The ward’s People’s Budget vote opens next week, and sewer-main replacement, street resurfacing, new lighting, and the Elise Malary Plaza project are underway or planned. Vasquez also reported recent nearby shootings and ongoing public-safety coordination, and highlighted upcoming community events and free bike helmets.
Andre Vasquez, alderperson for Chicago’s 40th Ward, announced three free October events at the newly renovated Ainslie Arts Plaza: a comedy-variety showcase on Oct. 9, an autumn arts festival on Oct. 17, and a Halloween party with the 47th Ward on Oct. 22. The comedy show will accept suggested donations for RefugeeOne; the Halloween party includes pumpkin painting and a costume contest.
Chicago 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez reports City Council approval of a proposed sale of city parking meters, with $75 million in upfront proceeds directed to pensions and additional profit/fee and worker/data protections. He also highlights ongoing negotiations on the PRO and FAIR landlord/tenant ordinances, a successful council vote raising the bond/borrowing threshold to a 30-vote supermajority (subject to possible mayoral veto), and plans to expand the citywide Smart Streets camera enforcement program. Other updates include a community discussion on a rezoning at 5036–5040 N. Ashland, a Rogerswood/utility sewer main replacement and residential street resurfacing, plus ward events like Apple Fest and the Mobile DMV at the 40th Ward office (Oct. 23).
In Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward newsletter, he highlights a forthcoming City Council discussion of the parking meter deal, a proposed 30-vote threshold for bond matters, and the PRO and FAIR tenant/landlord ordinances, plus a zoning matter where he supports a change at 5636–40 N. Ashland Avenue from RS-3 to RM-6 after community feedback. He also notes DOT progress on a visibility improvement at Western by Argyle and upcoming infrastructure planning, including lead service line-related work tied to the Ravenswood water main replacement and several residential street resurfacing projects. Other updates include the Haven on Lincoln stabilization housing project nearing opening steps (pending an Illinois EPA NFR letter), the opening of Ainslie Arts Plaza for free public event hosting, and local safety/crime and community events around the ward.
Ald. Vasquez’s Ward Night in Chicago’s 40th Ward was cancelled tonight (Sept. 21) due to sickness, with Ward Night resuming next Monday, Sept. 28 from 5:00–6:30pm. The newsletter also notes Ward Nights will pause for budget season in a couple of weeks, and encourages residents to attend or contact 40thward.org/contact for assistance.
Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) highlights upcoming City Council updates and multiple development/infrastructure items, including a Ravenswood water/sewer main replacement project with a community meeting (Oct. 6, 6–8 p.m.), and ongoing DWM water main work plus lead service line replacements. The newsletter also lists this month’s residential street resurfacing and the Elise Malary Plaza project progress, including a permanent street closure of Catalpa between Clark and Ashland; it notes no scheduled water interruptions next week for the Artesian project. Other announcements/events include a Lakeview Township property tax appeal seminar (Sept. 24), Windy City SportsFest (Sept. 19), and Andersonville Arts Weekend and SNAP match updates at the farmers market.
Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Alderman, highlights local infrastructure and public works updates, including a community meeting (Oct. 6) about the Ravenswood water main/sewer work and related lead service line replacements, plus ongoing Artesian water main installation and residential street resurfacing in several 40th Ward corridors. The newsletter also references a public-safety focus (including CCPSA 20th District Council’s Sept. 14 meeting) and general neighborhood statistics, alongside major community notices such as disaster loan outreach for July storm damage (SBA centers through Sept. 22) and Chicago’s 2026 West Nile virus warning.
Key announcements include the Sept. 11/Sept. 12 civic remembrance and Shana Tova/Mexican Independence Day celebrations, plus upcoming events like Friendship Center’s Games for Good (Sept. 19) and Fall Nature Fest at LaBagh Woods (Sept. 12), and a note that the 2100 block of Summerdale appears in the film “Block Party.”
In the 40th Ward, Ald. Andre Vasquez notes zoning support for 2648–58 W. Lawrence Ave with updates including 100% electric-ready designs and changes reflecting bird-friendly building ordinance requirements. He also describes ongoing and upcoming infrastructure work affecting the ward—DWM water main and lead service line replacement starting on N. Artesian (with a Sept. 10 virtual meeting) plus multiple residential and alley resurfacing projects (and Ashland raised crosswalk/bus pad work). The newsletter also highlights community events over the Labor Day weekend, including a skate event at Ainslie Arts Plaza tonight, Bike the Drive launch on Sept. 6 (6–6:30am), and attendance planned for the Chicago Federation of Labor’s Labor Day Parade and Eddie Fest on Sunday.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) shared an OEMC extreme heat advisory for Chicago today from 12pm to 9pm, urging residents to stay hydrated, limit electricity use, avoid leaving people or pets in parked cars, and check on neighbors—especially seniors. The newsletter also lists several 40th Ward cooling locations (including nearby Chicago Public Library and Senior Service Center sites) for residents without air conditioning, and directs readers to the ward website for a full list.
No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy actions were mentioned.
In the 40th Ward, Ald. Andre Vasquez announced an upcoming Policy Town Hall on Monday, Aug. 31 (6–8pm) covering city legislation including affordable housing, transit, public safety, and the city budget, and he flagged ongoing traffic impacts at Argyle/Western tied to DWM sewer work. The newsletter also lists residential and alley resurfacing, plus ongoing plaza and street-safety construction updates, including curbs/planters at Elise Malary Plaza and raised crosswalk installation on Ashland Avenue. Other major events include Bike the Drive planning (Sept. 6), JASC’s 80th Anniversary Block Party (Aug. 30), and several community gatherings and wellness/environmental events in early September.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) invites neighbors to join a group ride for Bike the Drive on September 6, meeting at Ainslie Arts Plaza at 6:00am (ride starts 6:30am) and using bikethedrive.org for tickets and details. The newsletter does not mention any zoning, development, housing, transit funding, budget, or street-safety hearings or policy actions. Other items include 40th Ward office hours and a note about Ward Night on Mondays from 5:00–6:30pm.
In Ald. Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward newsletter, he highlights People’s Budget work—cutting the ribbon on new accessible playground equipment at Chappell Elementary—and invites residents to a Policy Town Hall on Aug. 31 covering issues including affordable housing, transit, and the city budget. The newsletter also notes rezoning feedback windows for 1634 W. Thorndale (due Aug. 25) and 4949 N. Western Ave (due Aug. 26) and describes ongoing street work and safety/traffic changes, including the permanent closure for construction of Elise Malary Plaza and upcoming raised crosswalks in the 47th Ward affecting traffic in the area.
Other major updates include citywide park participatory budgeting voting for $500,000 in park capital projects, community events such as an Aug. 29 Pure Barre pop-up and West Ridge Cleanup, and a request for public input on the CPD superintendent search.
In Ald. Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward newsletter, the main policy focus is the upcoming 40th Ward Policy Town Hall on Aug. 31 (6–8pm) to discuss city issues including affordable housing, transit, city budget priorities, and public-safety topics, plus multiple housing-related rezoning proposals (including community meetings and public feedback for 1634 W Thorndale and 4949 N Western Ave). The newsletter also highlights city planning and safety work underway in the ward, including road/street improvements and closures, plus CPD superintendent search feedback and public safety updates.
Other major announcements include the Chicago Air and Water Show (Aug. 15–16), the Aug. 15 Blue Ink Festival, and several back-to-school events and community fundraisers across the weekend.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) shared a National Weather Service Tornado Warning for Chicago and urged residents to seek shelter and submit 3-1-1/311 service requests for storm damage and outages. The newsletter also notes that standing water may occur due to Chicago’s combined sewer system and advises reporting water on the street if it lasts more than 24 hours after rain stops. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street policy items were included—only emergency weather guidance and resources.
In Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward newsletter, the main upcoming zoning/development item is a Community Driven Zoning meeting on Tuesday, August 11 (5:30–6:30pm, via Zoom) for a proposed development at 1634 W. Thorndale, plus an Elise Malary Plaza update noting Catalpa between Clark and Ashland is now permanently closed and underground/electrical work will continue into grading and concrete work next week. The newsletter also lists several street/resurfacing and closure-related projects (e.g., Ashland Ave raised crosswalk installations in the 47th Ward starting next week, Campbell Ave repaving week of August 17, and Ainslie/St Claremont and Ainslie/Oakley intersection closures), and includes a city services update rather than budget or major transit policy changes.
Other major announcements include the 40th Ward Policy Town Hall on August 31 at DANK Haus, Chicago Park District citywide participatory budgeting voting ($500,000) through August 27, and community events like Movies in the Park (Aug. 10) plus the Aug. 15–16 Chicago Air and Water Show.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) invites residents to a second annual 40th Ward Policy Town Hall on Monday, August 31 from 6–8 p.m. at DANK Haus to discuss city policy areas including affordable housing, transit, the city budget, and public safety.
The newsletter primarily serves as a save-the-date for this forum, with no specific zoning, development approvals, ordinances, or spending decisions announced.
In the 40th Ward, Ald. Andre Vasquez reports the city council is debating Mayor Johnson’s “Protecting Renters Ordinance” (rental registry, tenants’ bill of rights with just-cause eviction, fee limits, and relocation assistance) versus a competing “FAIR” ordinance that he says would roll back protections and exempt landlords with 12 units or fewer. He also notes a Chicago Board of Education budget vote that relies on $285M in TIF funds and $150M in expected state funds to cover a $700M+ gap, warning the plan is risky if revenue doesn’t materialize.
Separately, the newsletter updates residents on storm damage recovery from late-week thunderstorms, a pending rezoning request for 2648 W Lawrence Ave for a 5-story mixed-use building (feedback due Aug. 3), ongoing and upcoming streetwork (including Catalpa Avenue closure for Elise Malary Plaza and Ashland Avenue markings), and a public safety incident investigation tied to an alleged hit-and-run at Peterson and Ravenswood.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward sent an alert about a flash flood warning in Chicago due to severe thunderstorms, advising residents to avoid flooded areas and report storm damage via 311 (or call 911 for emergencies). The newsletter also explains that standing water can be normal under Chicago’s combined sewer system and directs residents to submit a “water on the street” request if standing water lasts more than 24 hours. Other key notice: updates and safety information are available through the Chicago OEMC App and emergency alerts at Chicago.gov/OEMC.
40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez’s newsletter highlights that City Council voted on referendum questions (including a mayor vs. council legal-counsel issue and a stalled “millionaire’s tax” ballot measure) and notes a separate zoning feedback process for 2648 W. Lawrence (rezoning to B2-3 for a 5-story mixed-use building) plus a virtual community zoning meeting for 1634 W. Thorndale (rezoning to B2-3 for rehab/addition/expansion). The newsletter also covers ongoing street work in the area (e.g., Ashland Avenue resurfacing/mural-markings and other resurfacing/closures) and a PART pilot ordinance discussion at the 19th District Council meeting.
Other announcements include the 40th Ward back-to-school supply drive (through July 30) and a Back to School Resource Fair on Aug. 1, plus multiple community events (Andersonville Sidewalk Sale July 24–26, Shakespeare in the Park July 24–26, and Andersonville Vintage Market dates in late July and August).
In the 40th Ward, Alderman Andre Vasquez’s committee held a hearing focused on how CPD is enforcing a January Executive Order directing CPD to investigate and pursue prosecution related to federal agents’ wrongdoing, and CPD announced a new policy encouraging residents to report alleged federal immigration violations. The Committee on Finance also voted to delay approval of Chicago’s proposed parking meter sale to Stonepeak Partners, citing concerns tied to ICE/deportation flight contractor Omni, and the newsletter highlights Council passage of the 40th Ward Environmental Board’s Sustainable Parkways Resolution to expand pollinator gardens and bioswales for flooding and air-quality benefits. Other updates include multiple community rezoning meetings (2648-58 W. Lawrence and 1634 W. Thorndale), ongoing street projects and resurfacing (including Manor Avenue and Lincoln Avenue streetscape), and events such as the cancelled catalytic converter etching event, the 40th Ward Back to School supply drive, and an Electric Vehicle Demo Day on July 19.