Bennett Lawson

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announces that the ward office will be closed tomorrow because of an extreme cold warning, with staff working remotely and available by email. Residents are urged to stay indoors, check on vulnerable neighbors, and use city warming centers and emergency alerts. The office remains reachable at [email protected] for service requests and urgent matters.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced a new mixed‑use development proposal for 1040 W Belmont, which would replace Giordano’s with a five‑story building featuring 28 residential units, two commercial spaces, and eight parking spots near the Belmont CTA station. He urged residents to report potholes and other street hazards so the Department of Streets and Sanitation can address them, and noted that the office will help flag severe potholes. Lawson also said he will introduce an honorary resolution for longtime neighbor Ann Mara­slak at the upcoming City Council meeting, and highlighted other community events such as the Lakeview East Dive Bar Classic, Chicago Restaurant Week, and local school council openings.

Alderman Bennett Lawson’s 44th Ward office has scheduled a series of community meetings for 2026, including a one‑pager of neighborhood and police beat meetings, and has opened RFPs for three CTA‑owned vacant sites along Clark to spur transit‑oriented development. Lawson expanded the citywide ADU ordinance, passed legislation to host the 2027 MLB All‑Star Game at Wrigley Field, approved the opening of Lakeview Landing and the Briar Street Theater redevelopment, and funded infrastructure projects such as street resurfacing on Cornelia, Pine Grove, and Hawthorne, new LED traffic signal upgrades, speed humps, and pedestrian safety features, while the CTA Red and Purple Line Modernization Phase One was completed. Other highlights include the opening of Taste of Egg restaurant, a City grant for The Annoyance Theatre, a winter coat drive with the Bears, and community events such as the Lakeview Dog Park donation page and various festivals.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced that the City Council passed an alternate budget that invests in community programs, pays the full advance pension, taxes large social‑media companies, and implements audit‑identified efficiencies while avoiding burdensome business taxes. The mayor will not veto the budget, allowing it to take effect at year‑end, and the CTA will provide free rides on trains and buses from 10 p.m. Dec 31 to 4 a.m. Jan 1 for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Residents are encouraged to use the city’s Christmas tree recycling program (Jan 3‑17) and to note that garbage and recycling pickups will resume on the week of Jan 5, with the office closed Dec 31‑Jan 2.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward is inviting residents to a community meeting on January 14 to discuss a proposed West Lakeview Landmark District, a historic‑preservation effort that could affect property rights and future renovations. No decisions have been made yet, and the office is conducting a robust engagement process before moving forward. Residents are encouraged to review preliminary research and FAQs and to RSVP for the Zoom meeting.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announces the office will be closed for holidays December 24‑26 and December 31‑January 2, reopening Monday January 5. Garbage and recycling pickups for the 44th Ward will resume the week of January 5, with curb and alley schedules as usual. No meetings, policy changes, development approvals, budget decisions, transit changes, or street‑safety projects were highlighted in this issue.

The 19th Police District released its 2026 community‑meeting calendar, expanding public‑safety engagement across the 44th Ward. Alderman Bennett Lawson advanced housing policy by expanding the ADU ordinance to allow coach houses and basement/attic units citywide and cutting red‑tape for converting vacant storefronts into housing, while approving several development projects such as Lakeview Landing, the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center expansion, the Briar Street Theater redevelopment, and the Halsted hotel project. Infrastructure spending included resurfacing Halsted Street with rainbow crosswalks, installing a raised crosswalk at Roscoe and Elaine, adding pedestrian bump‑outs on Southport, completing a new sustainable green alley, and progressing the CTA Red and Purple Line Modernization with a new bypass and Phase One completion, alongside the John Kelly Park renovation and the 2027 MLB All‑Star Game funding for security barriers and sidewalk widening. Other highlights included the grand opening of Hot Chi Chicken and the Department of Streets’ “You Name a Snowplow” contest.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced that the city council passed an ordinance legalizing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single‑family zones—a key housing policy change—and noted his opposition to a broad hemp ban that would have prohibited THC drinks. He also highlighted budget concerns, opposing the mayor’s proposal that includes borrowing for operating expenses and a head tax, and reminded residents of the upcoming court hearing on the Leon Jackson battery case and the final 19th Police District Council meeting. Additional updates included the groundbreaking of improvements at John Kelly Park, the East Lake View Neighbors Community Grant Program deadline, and community events such as the Wrigleyville Wonderland holiday celebration.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward urged residents to review and respond to a letter to Mayor Johnson proposing an alternative 2026 budget that avoids borrowing for operating expenses and includes new revenue options, and he is collecting feedback through a budget survey. He also co‑sponsored a pilot ordinance allowing residents to report vehicles blocking crosswalks, bus lanes, and bike lanes, and reminded neighbors of the winter overnight parking ban and ongoing street‑resurfacing work. Other highlights included the unveiling of Herbert “Nuts on Clark” Kenney Way, a World AIDS Day gathering, and several holiday‑season events in the ward.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward urges residents to complete the 2026 budget survey to shape revenue proposals and spending priorities, while also soliciting feedback on the growing presence of delivery robots in the neighborhood. Lawson highlighted street‑safety projects, noting the completion of Halsted Arterial resurfacing and the upcoming repaving of Briar from Broadway to Sheridan, as well as the tree‑trimming schedule for November 26 and the honorary street‑naming of Nuts on Clark. Other announcements include the opening of Lucky Cat café, the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Gallagher Way on December 5, and a series of community events such as the Winterland holiday market, the 19th District Thanksgiving meal, and various fundraising drives.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward reported that the City Council Finance Committee voted 25‑10 to reject the mayor’s revenue proposal, extending the 2026 budget debate into December. The ward also announced ongoing street‑resurfacing on Halsted and Briar, the completion of the Halsted Arterial resurfacing project, and the repainting of rainbow crosswalks. Additional updates included the 47th Turkey Trot street‑closures, the 44th Ward Community Food Box, and the office’s early Thanksgiving closure.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward reports several street‑safety and redesign projects, including a rescheduled street‑sweeping schedule, ongoing Halsted arterial resurfacing, an alley reconstruction effort, and a request for residents to report potholes. Other highlights include the opening of two new restaurants, a community food drive, multiple holiday tree‑lighting celebrations, a resolution honoring Loyola alum Sister Jean, and a reminder that the office will close early for Thanksgiving. The newsletter also notes that budget negotiations are underway and encourages residents to stay informed through the Better Government Association’s website.

On November 9, Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward will host a 2026 Budget Town Hall with the Mayor, inviting residents to discuss the city’s proposed budget. The newly‑released 2025 Community Plan outlines over 30 action items in housing, transit and neighborhood amenities, and the ward is coordinating the completion of Halsted Arterial resurfacing and repainting of rainbow crosswalks to improve street safety. Other highlights include the opening of Dat Donut’s new Lakeview location, the Lakeview East Chamber’s Thanksgiving guide, and Big Ten football games at Wrigley Field.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced that the ward’s 2025 Community Plan has been finalized and that a zoning change approving a dispensary at 3650 N Clark has been granted, following extensive community input. Street‑safety updates include temporary closures for CTA work on 900 Waveland/Grace, upcoming resurfacing of Cornelia, Hawthorne, Pine Grove and Briar, the completion of Halsted arterial resurfacing, scheduled tree trimming, and a reminder to report potholes. Other highlights were Halloween festivities, a press conference condemning ICE activity, a Know‑Your‑Rights training for local businesses, and the final Saturday of the Nettelhorst French Market.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward reports that CTA will close Waveland and Grace from Oct 24‑27 for overhead rail construction, and that additional Red Line work will affect access between Addison and Grace through September‑October, impacting transit service. Street‑safety projects include the completion of Halsted Arterial resurfacing from Clark to Waveland, scheduled resurfacing of Cornelia, Hawthorne, Briar, and Pine Grove streets, and an alley reconstruction on Waveland and Grace, all of which will involve temporary parking restrictions. Other highlights include a community ICE whistle‑packing event, a new Korean‑fusion bakery opening at 1360 W Belmont, and a series of Halloween celebrations such as the Lakeview East Little Monsters Crawl and the 28th Annual Haunted Halsted Parade.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced the expansion of the ADU ordinance to 19 additional wards and co‑sponsored an Emergency Community Meeting on October 20, while the mayor’s budget address highlighted no property‑tax increase and new revenue and spending proposals. Transit infrastructure updates include CTA work that will close Waveland and Grace and affect the Red Line tracks, as well as street‑resurfacing projects on Halsted, Cornelia, Hawthorne, Briar, and Pine Grove. Other community highlights include the opening of Sushi Box and Just Salad, the Chicago Marathon, Halloween festivities, Diwali celebrations, and the 61st Chicago International Film Festival.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announced that CTA track work from Addison to Grace and the Halsted Arterial resurfacing project—both funded infrastructure initiatives—will temporarily close streets and improve safety. The ward also highlighted the Chicago Marathon route closures on October 12, urging residents to plan for street‑access changes, and promoted the October event calendar, including the Lakeview East Halloween Parade and the Northalsted Halloween Pup Crawl. Additional updates included a city‑council letter condemning ICE abuses, new immigrant‑rights resources, and a reminder that the ward office will be closed on Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward announces that the Chicago Cubs’ playoff games will trigger standard game‑day procedures, including street closures, parking restrictions, and CTA service adjustments. Riders will face pickup and drop‑off limits at specified intersections for all home games, and the neighborhood will see increased traffic and crowd activity. No new zoning, development, or budget decisions are highlighted in this issue.

On October 3, Alderman Bennett Lawson cut the ribbon for Lakeview Landing, a new 37‑unit affordable‑housing project for people with disabilities, marking a key development approval in the 44th Ward. The ward also highlighted upcoming infrastructure work—CTA track repairs from Addison to Grace and Halsted Arterial resurfacing—as well as street‑closure plans for the Chicago Marathon that will affect parking and traffic. Other updates included the opening of several local businesses, the ward’s participation in the AIDS Run & Walk, and resources for immigrant residents, along with a public‑safety community conversation scheduled for October 7.

No zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget meetings or policy changes were announced in this issue. The newsletter focuses on the Chicago Cubs Wild Card series at Wrigley Field, detailing game dates, parking and traffic restrictions, a planned military aircraft flyover, and fireworks, with contact information for the Cubs Hotline and city alerts. Alderman Bennett Lawson signs off, encouraging neighbors to stay informed and enjoy the playoff excitement.