In the 44th Ward, Ald. Bennett Lawson introduced two City Council ordinances to extend Pedestrian Streets along portions of Clark (3000–3432 and 3600–3800) and Belmont (531–800), setting development standards to support walkable commercial corridors without closing streets to vehicles. Lawson also shared greenway and street updates, including a revised Wellington/Oakdale greenway proposal for feedback, upcoming alley resurfacing/grind dates in June, and guidance for reporting potholes and checking planned street work.
Other major items include arrests tied to the “Lakeview Goons” following an April 4 robbery and beating, continued public safety updates for the 19th Police District, and upcoming community events such as the Low Line Farmers Market (June 2), the Southport Neighbors Native Plant Sale (June 13), and Pride Fest/Parade (June 20–21 and June 28).
In the 44th Ward newsletter, Alderman Bennett Lawson reports that City Council passed the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance and a measure banning CPD officers with ties to far-right extremist groups, and he introduced two new ordinances expanding Pedestrian Street designations along Clark and Belmont and allowing gas stations to add up to six EV charging spaces without a Special Use. He also highlights Greenway work, noting the Grace Greenway is complete and the revised Wellington/Oakdale Greenway proposal is under review for feedback. Other major updates include Memorial Day weekend street closures for the Belmont Sheffield Music Festival (May 22–24) and the WOOGMS Memorial Day Parade (May 25), plus holiday office hours/closures and 311/pothole, Divvy/e-scooter reporting, and recycling schedule reminders.
Alderman Bennett Lawson’s 44th Ward newsletter highlights ongoing Complete Streets/greenway work and related input opportunities: the Grace Greenway installation is underway, and the revised Wellington/Oakdale Greenway proposal is open for review with feedback submitted to the ward or via his office. The newsletter also points residents to monthly CAPS beat meetings and shares a 19th District safety/CompStat update, alongside summer community scheduling (including street closures) for school and neighborhood events. Other major announcements include Nettelhorst’s “Stallion Stampede” fitness walk (May 15), Hawthorne’s Family Movie Night (May 15), and the Memorial Day Parade (May 25) plus the Belmont Sheffield Music Festival (May 22–24) and Dine Out on Broadway closures (June 12–14, July 10–12, Aug. 21–23).
Alderman Bennett Lawson’s May 8, 2026 newsletter focuses mainly on neighborhood meetings and public-safety updates, including his attendance at Chicago Police Department recognition events and a reminder that the 19th Police District Council meeting on CARE is Wednesday, May 13 at Chicagoland Community Church. The newsletter also promotes housing-related discussion around Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) in a recent Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast episode, and includes public-safety and vehicle-theft alerts (including air-bag thefts) and 311 reminders for scooter reporting and potholes. Other announcements include a Ward shredding and electronics recycling event on May 9 (9am–12pm) and several upcoming community events through May, plus ongoing alley resurfacing updates and additional city/job fairs listed in the resource section.
In the 44th Ward, Alderman Bennett Lawson noted upcoming transit stop disruptions tied to demolition work at 2800 N. Sheridan, including the temporary removal of the southbound Sheridan bus shelter and westbound Diversey bus shelter (with no stop relocation) before reinstallation by the end of July. The newsletter also highlights ward-level street maintenance and safety-related public information, including the end of April street cleaning and reminders about scams/vehicle theft tactics from the 19th Police District. Other major announcements include Wrigley Field hosting the first Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic (May 2) and a Shredding & Recycling event on May 9, plus multiple community and library events listed for early May.
In the 44th Ward, Alderman Bennett Lawson highlighted ongoing street and infrastructure work, including the final week of April street cleaning and Department of Water Management work on pipes/drains in the public way, plus the start of demolition at 1114 W Grace (House of the Good Shepherd) permitted for April 27. He also noted community updates such as Kelly Park renovations (with traffic-calming and improved crossings) and a 44th Ward CPD workforce allocation review presented by the 19th District Council at its monthly meeting. Other announcements include the May 9 shredding event, the May 9 Green Mixer and Memorial Day parade (May 25), and Amnesty Month for City of Chicago stickers through April 30.
Alderman Bennett Lawson’s 44th Ward newsletter highlights a City Council action appointing Alderman Gil Villegas as permanent Chair of the Zoning Committee and notes Lawson’s continued role as Vice Chair to advance development and affordable housing. It also covers Lawson’s push to improve how the 311 system categorizes and tracks hate-related graffiti and a reminder to buy City Stickers during Amnesty Month without late fees (by April 30). Other major items include Earth Day events (including a Weisman Park cleanup and a Lakeview Roscoe Village recycling/donation event), CPD/19th District anti-theft lock giveaway waitlist and April 24 free suicide prevention training, and community announcements like Central Lake View Neighbors’ Wine Tasting on April 19 and multiple upcoming library/school events.
In Alderman Bennett Lawson’s 44th Ward newsletter, he announces a Zoom community meeting on the proposed Tryst Hotel development (April 21) and notes his office co-signed a letter with other officials requesting a formal zoning determination from the Department of Planning and Development for the proposed ComEd substation at 1111 W Diversey. He also highlights that the expanded citywide ADU ordinance (effective April 1) is now in effect, with 126 applications citywide in the first days, and continues to coordinate on the ongoing airbag theft break-ins in the area.
Other updates include reminders about Wrigley Field game-day parking/enforcement and street sweeping, plus major events listed such as a kindness rally outside Merlo Library (April 12) and Lakeview Roscoe Village Earth Day (April 18), and an instrument donation drive extended through April 17.
Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announces the city ordinance legalizing Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs), noting 88 new applications in the first two days and encouraging residents to explore eligibility. He reminds residents of new Cubs night‑game parking restrictions, street‑sweeping schedules, upcoming alley resurfacing, and ongoing water‑management work that will affect several streets. The newsletter also highlights community events such as Earth Day cleanups, the Taste of Northalsted, and the opening of a new café in the ward.
Alderman Bennett Lawson announces that the city’s expanded Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance will take effect on April 1, allowing basement, attic, and coach‑house units in many zoning districts to boost affordable housing options. He also highlights ongoing Department of Water Management infrastructure work on Greenview, Southport, and Lakewood, with temporary street closures and no‑parking restrictions, while the ward’s street‑sweeping and alley‑resurfacing crews will keep the neighborhood clean. The newsletter encourages residents to donate instruments, apply for block parties, and stay informed about safety and public‑safety initiatives such as the 19th District Court Advocacy Program.
Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announces that on March 26 the Cubs will open the 2026 season at Wrigley Field, featuring fireworks and a Marine Corps flyover. The city will enforce strict parking restrictions and truck bans around Addison, Clark, and other streets, provide designated rideshare pick‑up zones, a bike valet, and additional CTA service to keep the area safe and accessible. Residents are encouraged to use public transit and follow the posted street closures and pedestrian reroute near Sheridan station for the event.
Alderman Bennett Lawson highlighted the 44th Ward’s strong turnout in the March primary and announced early‑voting site feedback, while noting the upcoming Cubs Opening Day traffic and parking restrictions, including street closures and a pedestrian reroute around Kelly Park. The alderman also reported the 3257 N Halsted hotel project’s new lighting design following last year’s approval, and outlined Department of Water Management’s 5‑6‑week drain and pipe work across Greenview, Lakewood, and Southport, along with ongoing public‑safety vendor fair and business‑burglary alert. Additional updates included a letter supporting the Jesse Jackson Young Voter Empowerment Law, a push for ranked‑choice voting, and community events such as the Coffee Stroll, Easter egg hunts, and the No Kings protest.
Alderman Bennett Lawson’s March 13 newsletter highlights an update on the 2800 N Sheridan development, noting a proposed increase to 28 stories and 355 units, along with added medical office and fitness space, while preserving historic sculptures. The message also reminds residents of the final week of voting for the March 17 primary, provides a St. Patrick’s Day local‑events guide, and announces public‑safety initiatives such as a catalytic‑converter deterrence event and an immigrant‑justice volunteer fair. Additional items include a statewide Illinois housing survey, the new TaxSmart Mortgage Credit Certificate program, and various community events like the Lakeview Coffee Stroll and March in the Parks.
Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced that the Cubs’ Camry Lot expansion and signage proposals will be presented at the East Lake View Neighbors meeting on March 10, a key development approval and community hearing. The ward also highlighted a new instrument donation drive with Spirit of Harmony and Hungry for Music, the opening of a Panda Express location, and a call for action on rising anti‑Semitic hate crimes following the Chicago Commission on Human Relations report. Additional updates included early voting site changes, the 55th annual Chicago Pride Parade return to Lakeview, and ongoing city hiring opportunities.
Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced community feedback sessions for two major development proposals—Tryst Chicago, a five‑story boutique hotel on N Halsted, and a 303‑unit residential tower at 2800 N Sheridan—requiring zoning approval and public input. The ward also highlighted the 2026 Wrigley Field Annual Meeting, where discussions covered public safety, parking enforcement, sanitation, transit, and recent community investments, and noted the opening of Hattie B’s Hot Chicken near the ballpark. Additional updates included early voting locations, a carjacking investigation, the city’s snowplow naming contest, and a reminder that the office will be closed on Pulaski Day.
Alderman Bennett Lawson announced that the city council unanimously passed an amendment to the ADU ordinance, expanding the opt‑in program to 30 wards and allowing basement, attic, and coach‑house units in single‑family zones—a major housing policy change. He also called for community input on the Cubs’ proposed signage and parking expansion at Wrigley Field, a parking‑reform initiative. In infrastructure, Lawson secured $500,000 in federal Community Project Funding for Belmont CTA station upgrades—including elevators, escalators, awnings, and security—supporting long‑term transit improvements. Other highlights included early voting logistics, community grant awards, and a public safety alert on vehicle break‑ins.
Alderman Bennett Lawson’s February 13 newsletter highlights the upcoming Annual Wrigley Field Community Meeting on Feb. 24 to discuss safety, traffic, and neighborhood beautification, and notes the Cubs’ pending review of a parking expansion and signage proposal adjacent to Wrigley Field. The newsletter also announces a new café, Jujin, and a free shredding event on May 9, while reminding residents of early voting sites and a tragic shooting investigation. Additional community updates include Valentine’s Day activities, Black History Month business spotlights, and a Family Preparedness Plan Workshop on Feb. 25.
Alderman Bennett Lawson announces that the 3233 N Sheffield development, which will add 99 apartments and double bike parking, is slated for approval at the upcoming Zoning Committee meeting, and invites residents to the Annual Wrigley Field Community Meeting on Feb. 24 to discuss baseball‑season preparations. The newsletter also highlights Black History Month celebrations across the city, ongoing public‑safety updates, and a range of community events and resources, including park activities, library programs, and local‑business support.
Al. Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward released draft 44th Ward Design Guidelines, a new policy framework for future development, and highlighted the City’s draft 2026 Five‑Year Blueprint on Homelessness, a housing policy initiative. He also called for a traffic study on Inner Lake Shore Drive to improve street safety and noted his attendance at a City Council hearing on ICE operations. Additional updates include Vote‑By‑Mail guidance for the March 17 primary and community events such as live ice sculpting and local guides for Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine’s Day.
Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward is still gathering feedback on the proposed 1040 W Belmont mixed‑use development, a key zoning and housing issue for the ward. He also noted the City Council’s recent ban on certain intoxicating hemp products, a policy change unrelated to housing or transit. Other updates include severe‑weather advisories, a winter ice‑sculpting event, and the alderman’s participation in resolutions honoring local community leaders.