Andre Vasquez

Andre Vasquez announced support for a zoning change at 2415‑25 W Peterson Avenue and highlighted upcoming traffic changes from the Lincoln Avenue North Streetscape project, including new turn restrictions and a dual right‑hand turn lane. The ward also noted the completion of the Ainslie Arts Plaza, the start of construction on Elise Malary Plaza, and the CTA’s temporary closure of the north platform at Western Brown Line for stair repairs.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced that the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape project will begin next week, removing the left‑turn from Ainslie onto Western to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, and that Ashland Avenue resurfacing will start this week with signal work expected to be operational in two weeks. The ward also opened registration for the Green Homes Chicago energy‑upgrade program, which will provide free retrofits to income‑eligible homeowners, and reminded residents that the office will be closed on Monday, February 16 for President’s Day, with the next Ward Night scheduled for February 23. Additionally, volunteers are invited to join the front‑desk team on February 27 to help with constituent services.

Ald. Andre Vasquez announced that the ward office will meet with CDOT, DWM, and utilities later this month to decide which residential streets, sidewalks, and alleys will receive Menu‑funded repairs, and the ward will also host two Ward Night meetings on Feb. 9 and 23 to discuss community concerns. The ward is advancing street‑safety projects, with the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape nearing completion and temporary lane closures for new traffic lights and bike‑lane adjustments, and Ashland Avenue resurfacing is underway between Foster and Ridge. Other highlights include a student walk‑out protest against ICE, a February immigration briefing, and community events such as the Andersonville Coffee Crawl and the 6311arts art exhibit opening.

Councilwoman Andre Vasquez announced that the Welcoming City Ordinance was approved by committee and will be voted on by the full City Council later this month, strengthening accountability for immigration enforcement. The 40th Ward is also advancing street improvements, with the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape nearing completion and Ashland Avenue resurfacing underway, while a virtual immigration briefing is scheduled for February 10. Additional updates include a Department of Planning and Development grant deadline, election judge recruitment, and community events such as the Peirce Day fundraiser and a blues performance at Budlong Woods Library.

On January 27, Alderperson Andre Vasquez will host a joint Committee on Immigrant & Refugee Rights and Police & Fire meeting to clarify the investigative process for Welcoming City Ordinance violations. The CTA is accelerating work on the Western Avenue Brown Line project, and ongoing street resurfacing on Ashland, Pratt, and Lincoln avenues will improve traffic flow and safety. The ward office will remain closed on January 23 due to extreme cold, and residents are encouraged to use warming centers; additional updates include a DPD grant application deadline, farmers‑market vendor openings, and upcoming community events such as election‑judge recruitment and a consumer‑fraud seminar.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced that the People’s Budget will spend $398,000 of the $1 million infrastructure fund on a new accessible playground at Chappell Elementary, flashing beacons, and a River Park viaduct mural, while $602,000 remains for repair work, and a joint committee meeting on January 27 will address CPD’s involvement with ICE under the Welcoming City Ordinance. A rezoning request for 2415 W Peterson to allow a cannabis dispensary is open for feedback until January 19, and CTA contractors will work day and night on Western Avenue for the next two weeks to finish the Brown Line project, ending the bus detour for routes #11 and #49B. The ward is also completing street‑safety projects such as the Lincoln Avenue streetscape and Pratt Boulevard bike medians; the office will be closed on Monday, January 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and residents are encouraged to recycle holiday lights and trees.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced that the People’s Budget vote will be finalized next week and that he held a CPD‑ICE hearing, introducing ordinance O2025‑0019956 to clarify COPA’s authority over police‑ICE interactions. Feedback is now open on a rezoning request for 2415 W Peterson (B3‑2 to C1‑2) to allow a cannabis dispensary, and the Shared Sidewalk Cost Program opened January 12, offering low‑cost sidewalk replacements. Street‑safety projects continue with Ashland, Pratt, Ravenswood, and Lincoln Avenue resurfacing and streetscape work, while community events include a CCPSA meeting, election judge applications, winter English classes, holiday tree recycling, and the Reduce Waste Chicago holiday lights collection.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward urges residents to vote in the People’s Budget, which will allocate $1 million for local infrastructure improvements. The deadline is December 31, and voters can cast ballots online at 40thward.org/2026PB. This is the only major announcement in the newsletter.

The 40th Ward People's Budget is open for voting until December 31, 2025, letting residents decide how $1 million will be spent on infrastructure improvements. Alderperson Andre Vasquez urges all eligible neighbors to cast their vote, noting that nearly 2,100 residents have already participated. The campaign invites community input on spending priorities and provides contact details for further information.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward issued a public‑safety alert about a shooting that occurred at 5700 N Rockwell on December 26, 2025, noting no fatalities and that detectives are investigating. The notice urges neighbors to contact Area 3 Detectives (312‑744‑8261) with information and provides resources for violence‑related support. No zoning, budget, transit, or street‑safety updates were included in this edition.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward urges residents to vote in the 2026 People’s Budget, which will allocate $1 million for neighborhood infrastructure improvements. The deadline is December 31, 2025, and nearly 2,000 neighbors have already voted. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are highlighted in this issue.

The Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights introduced legislation that requires city agencies to report ICE requests weekly, a policy aimed at increasing transparency in immigration enforcement. It also launched a Better Streets for Busses online survey to collect community input on bus‑priority corridors, part of a broader effort to improve transit infrastructure. In addition, the committee released its 2025 Annual Report, announced the Chicago Loves Local campaign, and scheduled a Know Your Rights training for January 10 at Back of the Yards High School.

Alderman Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced a community zoning hearing on January 5 to rezone 2415‑25 W. Peterson Ave for a marijuana dispensary and noted his vote against the city’s proposed budget. He highlighted new ordinances—Disabled Parking Permit reform, ADU expansion, and elimination of parking minimums—alongside infrastructure work such as Ashland Avenue resurfacing with raised sidewalks and the final stages of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape. The newsletter also reminded residents that the ward office will be closed for the holidays, urged voting in the 2026 People’s Budget, and listed upcoming community events and safety updates.

The 40th‑Ward newsletter urges residents to cast their ballots in the People’s Budget, aiming for 2,200 votes by December 22 to decide how $1 million in public funds will be spent on local infrastructure. The message highlights the two‑week deadline and the importance of community participation. It is signed by Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward.

The 40th‑Ward newsletter from Alderman Andre Vasquez is a call to action urging residents to cast their vote in the 2026 People’s Budget, which allocates $1 million for local infrastructure improvements. It stresses the need to reach 2,200 votes by December 22, 2025, and provides the voting link (40thward.org/pb) and contact details for the ward office. No meetings, policy changes, or development approvals are announced in this issue.

Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward announced at a City Council meeting that he is amending the budget‑management ordinance to require an independent audit of the Chicago Police Department, bi‑monthly hearings on police‑misconduct settlements, and greater transparency in quarterly budget reports. He also highlighted ongoing street‑safety projects—such as Ashland Avenue resurfacing and new pedestrian‑safety improvements—while urging residents to vote in the 2026 People’s Budget and noting the office’s holiday closure. Additional updates include the launch of the Chicago Loves Local campaign, cold‑weather resources, and a reminder to submit feedback on the Winnemac Park advisory council’s beer‑sales proposal for Edgewater Castle FC games.

Alder Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward urges residents to vote in the 2025‑2026 People’s Budget, which will decide how $1 million in public funds will be spent on local infrastructure improvements. The campaign has already secured 1,800 votes and is targeting 2,200 by December 22, with voting open until December 31. Residents can cast their ballots at 40thward.org/PB and help shape the ward’s future.

No zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes were announced. The 40th Ward Office reports a fatal police‑involved shooting on the 5700 block of N Washtenaw Ave, with the incident under investigation by COPA and the officer involved placed on administrative duties for at least 30 days. Alderperson Andre Vasquez urges residents to contact COPA for information and offers resources for violence support.

Ald. Andre Vasquez introduced a budget‑reform package that calls for an independent audit of the Chicago Police Department and bi‑monthly hearings on police‑misconduct settlement trends, aiming to increase oversight of the city’s largest line item. The package also expands data‑transparency requirements for council budget reports to improve fiscal scrutiny. No other meetings, policy changes, or development approvals were highlighted in this release.

A police‑involved shooting occurred on the 5700 block of North Washtenaw Avenue at approximately 10:30 p.m. on December 9, 2025, prompting the 40th Ward office to issue a public‑safety alert. Alderperson Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward confirmed the incident and will provide updates as they become available. Residents are encouraged to seek support through the Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline, the City’s UnSpoken page, or the NAMI Chicago Helpline for mental‑health assistance.