Andre Vasquez

Alderman Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) issued a traffic alert for the funeral of Chicago Police Officer John G. Bartholomew, warning of partial road closures and severe congestion on May 7 (11 a.m.–9 p.m.) and May 8 (9 a.m.–3 p.m.). Expected closures include segments of DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Sheridan Rd, Bryn Mawr, and Lawrence Ave, with CTA bus reroutes on #136, #147, and #151; details for visitation (May 7) and the funeral (May 8) are also provided. The newsletter’s main update is the transportation/traffic impact, with additional information to follow from the alderman’s office.

In this newsletter, Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) addresses the May Day shooting at Endeavor Swedish Hospital that killed Officer John Bartholomew and focuses on questions about pre-trial release procedures, including concerns about the judge who allowed suspect Alphanso Talley to be released on electronic monitoring. Vasquez also highlights upcoming zoning and development engagement—virtual meetings on May 11 for a proposed zoning change at 1940 W Foster and on May 5 and May 6 for special use/rezoning requests at 5155 N Oakley and 5115 N Ravenswood—as well as the May 12 Development Town Hall. Other major announcements include People’s Budget project proposal submissions (due June 1), CDOT bike rack requests, and Ward events such as Chicago River Day (May 9) and community garden volunteer day (May 2), plus note of several ongoing street and streetscape construction updates (e.g., Lincoln Avenue Streetscape and Ashland work).

Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) invites residents to a 40th Ward Development Town Hall on May 12 from 6–8 p.m. at First Free Church (5255 N Ashland), with a Q&A on major construction/development projects, upcoming improvements, and how residents can get involved. Other announcements are limited to links to the ward’s projects and social media; no specific zoning, budget, transit, or ordinance actions are listed in this newsletter.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) issued a public safety alert that Chicago’s 20th District has confirmed a suspect is in custody as of 12:10 PM after an incident at Swedish Hospital; the area remains an active crime scene and travel may be restricted while investigators work. The newsletter does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street policy meetings/approvals, and includes no other major announcements or events.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) issued a public safety alert about an active shooting situation at Swedish Hospital and the 2600 block of W Winona, reporting multiple shots fired and two officers shot (one in critical condition) and advising residents to shelter in place or avoid the area. The office said it will send additional notifications as more information becomes available; no zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety policy items were included in this newsletter.

In the 40th Ward newsletter, Cat Sharp (acting for Ald. Vasquez while he is out) highlights upcoming zoning/development community meetings, including a May 5 virtual meeting on a special use permit for 5155 N. Oakley Ave (sober living residence) and a May 6 virtual meeting on rezoning 5115 N. Ravenswood Ave to allow a childcare center. It also notes development-related updates such as construction nearing completion for the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape phase and the selection of a contractor for Elise Malary Plaza, along with the May 12 Development Town Hall (6–8 p.m.). Other major announcements include the April 30 panel at the 7th District Community Commission on support for survivors of violent crime, and May 9 Chicago River Day cleanups.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) invites residents to a 40th Ward Development Town Hall on Tuesday, May 12 from 6–8 p.m. at First Free Church (5255 N Ashland) to hear updates and hold a Q&A on major construction projects, forthcoming neighborhood improvements, and how to get involved. The newsletter also directs attendees to additional project information via the 40thward.org/projects page.

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) highlights zoning/development-related items, including upcoming virtual community meetings on a special use permit for a sober living residence at 5155 N. Oakley Ave (May 5) and a rezoning request for 5115 N. Ravenswood Ave to allow a childcare center (May 6). The newsletter also calls attention to street/transportation work in the ward—delays and remaining lane closures on the Lincoln Avenue streetscape, plus ongoing Ashland resurfacing/traffic signal work—and shares broader City policy updates such as changing SNAP rules and a CDOT bike parking request process. Other major announcements include a Bears-themed “Good, Shredder, Best” shred event (Apr. 18), safety and vehicle-theft prevention events by the 20th District (Apr. 18), and multiple community events (library week events, benefits, and volunteer opportunities). It also spotlights the detention of Ricardo and his mother Liliana and encourages support via a GoFundMe, along with remarks on CP4P’s violence prevention work and improved violent-crime statistics in the 40th Ward.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) invites residents to the April 18 “Good, Shredder, Best” spring shred event at 5333 N. Western Ave (11am–2pm or until full), with additional options to recycle expired/unused medications and hard-to-recycle items. The newsletter also notes donation drop-offs with the Friendship Center for cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and kitchen items. Other items included are 40th Ward office hours, Ward Night every Monday (5:00–6:30pm), and links to events and social media.

40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez reports meeting with the Johnson Administration about shifting pension costs to ward offices, which would increase office expenses and require staffing/hour adjustments. He also highlights local housing and development work in the ward, including the upcoming completion and ribbon cutting for “The Haven on Lincoln” (a non-congregate stabilization shelter), and progress/legislation planning for the Ainslie Arts Plaza and Lincoln Avenue Arts District; he adds that feedback is open for a 5636–40 N. Ashland rezoning and notes the Lincoln Avenue and Ashland streetscape/resurfacing construction updates. Other announcements/events include a Bears-themed Good, Shredder, Best shred event on April 18, virtual Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights programming on April 7, City Clerk sticker Amnesty Month in April, CPD 20th District Safety Day (April 11), and multiple community cleanups and events (Earth Day parks cleanup April 18, plus other scheduled community programs).

Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) announced a spring “Good, Shredder, Best” shred event on Saturday, April 18, with shredding at 5333 N. Western Avenue from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (up to two boxes; no spiral bound notebooks), plus medication recycling and other donation opportunities. The newsletter also promotes Ward office hours and notes Ward Night every Monday from 5:00–6:30 p.m., along with general links to additional events.

Alderman Andre Vasquez (Ward 40) highlighted a rezoning hearing for 5636‑40 N. Ashland, where residents can submit feedback on a new construction proposal, and noted the ongoing zoning proposal for 5054‑58 N. Ashland Avenue. The ward also reported progress on street safety projects, with the final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape nearing completion and the Ashland Avenue resurfacing and traffic signal installation expected to be operational within 2‑3 weeks. Other updates included the postponement of the Winnemac Park Ballfield opening due to drainage repairs, the City Sticker Amnesty Month waiving late fees, and a call for volunteers for Earth Day clean‑ups and the Good, Shredder, Best Shred event.

40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez highlights a virtual community rezoning meeting (Mar. 31, 5:30pm) for 5636–5640 N. Ashland Avenue to change zoning from RS-3 to B2-3 for a proposed 5-story residential building, and notes ongoing infrastructure work tied to the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape (including the Western/Ainslie traffic signal modernization) plus Ashland Avenue resurfacing/bus pad installation and signal work. The newsletter also points to the 40th Ward’s public safety commission special hearing scheduled for April 2 at 6:30pm with CPD Superintendent Snelling, and includes longer-term community improvements such as the Winnemac Park turf ballfield opening and housing-related progress like the Haven on Lincoln. Other major announcements include a March 28 volunteer grocery-delivery event with Nourishing Hope, street sweeping starting April 1, and a Bears-themed shred event on April 18.

Alderman Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward invites residents to the Winnemac Park Ballfield grand opening on April 10th, featuring a new turf field and a baseball game between Amundsen and Mather, with a special guest first pitch. The event celebrates community input and partnership with the Chicago Park District, Friends of Amundsen, Amundsen Athletics, and the Chicago Cubs. No other policy or budget announcements are included.

Alderman Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward reports that City Council passed the Welcoming City Investigation Ordinance, empowering COPA to investigate CPD officers collaborating with ICE, and a community rezoning meeting is scheduled for March 31 to consider a B2‑3 zoning change for 5636‑5640 N Ashland to allow a 5‑story residential building. The ward also sees progress on infrastructure, with the final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape nearing completion and the Western Brown Line Project’s southern elevator reopening on March 25, while the One Fair Wage Ordinance pause remains in effect pending further review. Additional community highlights include the Winnemac Park ballfield opening on April 10, a Northside Environmental Mixer on March 24, and a volunteer grocery delivery day with Nourishing Hope on March 28.

Alfred Vasquez, 40th Ward Alderman, notes that the Ward will hold a town hall covering community issues and that the office will be closed on Election Day March 17. The Ward is advancing a parking‑enforcement pilot to shift ticketing to Parking Enforcement Aides, and the City Council’s Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights is continuing work on supporting immigrant communities. Street‑safety projects include the final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape and ongoing Ashland Avenue resurfacing and traffic‑signal work, while the Ward also promotes community events such as a pollinator seed giveaway, a Safe Streets comedy show, and a volunteer day with Nourishing Hope.

Alderman Andre Vasquez announced upcoming public‑safety meetings, including a hearing with Superintendent Snelling on April 2 to discuss CPD interactions with federal agents and a 20th District Council meeting on March 9 to review the Workforce Allocation Study and launch a Parking Ticket Pilot Program that shifts ticket issuance to the Department of Finance. The ward is advancing street safety with the final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape, which adds new bike signal phases and removes left turns at Ainslie & Western, and continues Ashland Avenue resurfacing and traffic‑signal updates. Additional community events include a March 11 town hall, a pollinator seed giveaway on March 14, a clothing drive, Andersonville Restaurant Week, a Trellus Museum of Us exhibit, and a spring vaccination clinic.

Alderman Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward invites residents to the first town hall of 2026 on March 11 at Swedish Hospital, where he will review 2025 accomplishments and 2026 plans and answer community questions. The meeting will be held 6‑8 pm, and residents are encouraged to bring concerns. Additional information includes office hours, a weekly Ward Night, and upcoming events listed on the ward website.

Alderman Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward invites residents to the first town hall of 2026 on March 11 at Swedish Hospital, where he will review 2025 accomplishments and 2026 plans and answer community questions. The meeting will be held 6‑8 pm, and residents are encouraged to bring concerns. Additional information includes office hours, a weekly Ward Night, and upcoming events listed on the ward website.

Alderman Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced the first Town Hall of 2026 and a March 9 public‑safety meeting to discuss the new Parking Ticket Pilot Program, which shifts ticket issuance to the Department of Finance. He also highlighted ongoing street‑safety work, including the Pothole Patrol and the final phase of the Lincoln Avenue North Streetscape Project that will modernize traffic signals and add new lighting at Ainslie Arts Plaza. Additionally, the ward’s West Ridge dispensary plan received Aldermanic support, and the office celebrated community engagement with the North River Youth Council and a Choose Chicago meeting on tourism and city branding.