Public Safety Update
On Monday, I shared information about a shooting incident that happened on the Blue Line at the Racine station. To read the full email, click here.
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The ongoing violence and crime on the CTA is unacceptable. I appreciate the neighbors who joined us at yesterday's CAPS meeting with officers from CPD's 12th District. Please continue to report suspicious activity to 9-1-1. Public safety remains my top priority, and I'll continue working with local police to address safety across the 34th Ward.
If you were unable to join us yesterday but want to attend another upcoming meeting, please visit the websites of Chicago's 1st Police District and 12th Police District.
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Earth Day was Tuesday, and I was grateful for the opportunity to visit World Language Academy to speak with students in Ms. Lessem's 5th and 7th Grade classes about solar energy!
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We've been celebrating Earth Month across the Ward all throughout April, and on Saturday, April 26th, you can join two local Clean and Green events!
- Mary Bartelme Park (115 S. Sangamon)
- Join neighbors from 9am-11am for the annual park cleanup organized by the Mary Bartelme Park Advisory Council. Register here.
- Grant Park (meet at Buckingham Fountain, 301 S. Columbus Dr.)
- In partnership with the Grant Park Advisory Council and South Loop Neighbors, help clean up Grant Park from 10am-12pm. Register here.
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2025 Street Sweeping Schedule
Street sweeping started April 1st, and the schedule is live! Find a map and scheduled dates here. Be sure to move your vehicle on your posted street sweeping dates to avoid getting ticketed or towed.
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Block Party Planning
Jumping Jack applications opened on April 15th!
I'm looking forward to this summer's block parties across the Ward! For application information, please email pc@ward34.org.
Jumping Jack applications opened on April 15th for interested block party organizers, so please submit your block party requests now as they are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
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West Loop Historic Plaques Project
Local West Loop historian Connie Fairbanks is looking to connect with buildings on the National Register of Historic Places/Illinois Landmarksto install identifying plaques.
To see the landmarked buildings, please visit her website. If you a connection at these locations, please contact Connie.
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If you live in a historic building in The West Loop and have some historical information about your building you would like to share, please reach out to Connie if you would like to learn the process of installing your very own historic plaque!
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2025 Beat Meeting Schedules
Please join my team at upcoming CAPS meetings with the 1st and 12th Police Districts. CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) meetings are a great opportunity to meet with police, neighbors, and my team about local safety initiatives. To find your beat, click here. I hope you can join us at these meetings!
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1st District Conversation with a Commander
Chicago Board of Trade, entrance at 353 S. Financial
May 7th, 7pm
Please join 1st District Commander David Harris for a conversation about safety in Grant Park ahead of summer events. Julie Giese from the NASCAR Chicago team will also be available to answer questions you have about the NASCAR Chicago 2025 Street Race.
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Camera Registration Program
When a crime occurs, Police Officers and Detectives canvass the area looking for evidence to determine what occurred. Video footage can greatly assist in their efforts.
If you have a private security camera that captures the public way and you are interested in assisting in an investigation in the event of a crime in your neighborhood, you can register your camera with the Chicago Police Department.
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By registering your camera, you are simply allowing the Chicago Police Department to contact you in the event of a crime in your area. CPD will not have direct access to your camera system and cannot access camera footage without your consent. This is a free and voluntary program. Learn more on the program website.
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Speed Camera Installations
I'm excited to share that automated speed cameras are planned for installation at the following locations:
- on Racine, between Harrison and Lexington
- on Desplaines, between Jackson and Monroe
- on Jefferson, between Jackson and Monroe
- on Michigan, between Monroe and Van Buren
These locations were chosen because of their proximities to parks and schools. Installation dates have not yet been scheduled, but I will provide updates when they are planned.
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34th Ward Infrastructure Updates
2025 Sidewalk Improvement Repair Projects
- Completed: ADA tripping hazard at 1 S. Clinton
- Completed: Tripping hazards at 1000 W. Adams
- Completed: ADA tripping hazard at 900 W. Adams
- Completed: Tripping hazards at 1069-73 W. Vernon Park
- Completed: Tripping hazards at 108-46 S. Peoria (Mary Bartelme Park)
- In progress: Tripping hazards at 940 W. Madison
- Starting soon: Tripping hazards at 1011-1121 W. Vernon Park
- Starting soon: Tripping hazards at 1131-41 W. Vernon Park
- Starting soon: Tripping hazards at 837 S. Carpenter
- Starting soon: Tripping hazards at 202 S. Carpenter
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If you have any questions regarding these or any other infrastructure projects here in the 34th Ward, please reach out to Dan from my office at 312-744-6820 or via email to dan@ward34.org.
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NASCAR Local Impact Updates
The NASCAR construction schedule is now live, and has been adjusted in response to feedback from neighbors:
- NASCAR activity in Grant Park starts June 19th, 16 days before the event and 10 days later than in 2024.
- Impact to Michigan Avenue (Ida B. Wells to Jackson) reduced by 5 days
- The total build time for the race is 25 days, a 42% reduction since 2023.
More information on the local impacts of the 2025 NASCAR race can be found here, including a full list of street and sidewalk impacts.
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Ashland/I-290 Expressway Viaduct Work
The bridge carrying Ashland Ave over I-290 expressway is currently in a Pre-Stage traffic configuration, with 2 lanes of traffic for southbound Ashland Ave, and 1 lane of traffic for northbound Ashland Ave.
The contractor is working on the removal of the existing medians located within the project limits to replace them with temporary pavements that will be utilized as crossovers during Stage 1 and Stage 2 construction operations. All stages of this project are scheduled to be completed by Spring 2026.
Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.
For road construction updates and general travel information please visit IDOT’s Getting Around Illinois website.
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8 N. Morgan Construction Information
Construction is expected to start soon. Pile driving will take 12-15 business days, weather permitting, and is planned to occur between 8am and 5pm. With any questions for the construction team, please reach out to Alex Najem here.
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Traffic Impacts
- Helicopter Lift: 118 N. Clark
- On Saturday, April 26th, there will be a helicopter lift at 118 N. Clark. The adjacent blocks of Clark, Washington, and Randolph will be closed during the lift, scheduled approximately 9am-11am.
- May Day Parade - May 1st
- The May Day March will take place on May 1st. The parade steps off at Union Park at 11am and will march on Jackson until reaching Grant Park, where participants will disband at Hutchinson Field.
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Peoples Gas Main Replacement - Wabash from Monroe to Balbo
Peoples Gas (PGL) is continuing a major infrastructure upgrade project along Wabash from Monroe to Balbo as well as on Harrison from Michigan to Wabash. This gas main replacement project is part of PGL’s ongoing efforts to modernize its system in order to ensure continued safe and reliable service to the City of Chicago.
The work hours may vary throughout the project, but we currently anticipate working from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. During construction hours you will be able to expect traffic in each direction maintained through our work zones. This gas main installation will at times impact access to garages and/or loading docks so they ask that any deliveries or driveway access needed during work hours be communicated to on-site personnel with advance notice to the extent possible to allow access to be accommodated with minimal delay.
Week of 4/28
- Finish gas main retirement excavations in Wabash between Monroe and Balbo (9 am-4 pm M-F)
- Prepare gas main for retirement in Wabash between Monroe and Balbo (9 am-4 pm M-F)- Gas odors may be present during this time
- Finish gas main retirement work in Wabash at 8th (9 am- 4 pm M-F)
Week of 5/5
- Finish gas main retirement in Wabash between Monroe and Balbo (9 am-4 pm M-F)- Gas odors may be present during this time
- Begin backfilling gas main retirement openings in Wabash between Monroe and Balbo (9 am-4 pm M-F)
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Traffic Management: Tribune and U-Haul Demolition
- Monday-Friday truck traffic will be focused from 9am – 4pm to avoid the morning and afternoon commuter rush hours. Once trucks are on-site, they will be on private property and not in the public right of way.
- Weekends will be used for heavy hauling and will limit truck traffic from 8:00am – 8:00pm.
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- Traffic entrance and exit as noted in the above diagram (please note, barging material as shown, is not an option at this point). If more entrances and access become available, Brandenburg will consider editing said plan.
- Brandenburg has a scale set up onsite and random trucks leaving the site will be weighed to verify optimal capacity and to adhere to city trucking load limits.
- This plan will be modified as conditions in the field dictate.
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Work is underway for the Canal Street Viaduct demolition.
Update: April 22, 2025
Reconstruction of the Canal Street Viaduct between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard continues.
The Canal Street east sidewalk will remain closed between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard for approximately 2 months. During this time, Chicago Union Station can be accessed from the west sidewalk of Canal Steet as well as all building entrances available between Clinton Street and the Chicago River.
A concrete bridge deck pour is anticipated to occur on the weekend of May 10, 2025, or May 17, 2025, depending on the weather. At this time, traffic will be detoured around a weekend roadway closure at the intersections of Canal Street/Adams Street and Canal Steet/Jackson Boulevard.
The project is anticipated to be complete in fall of 2025. If you have any questions, please email the project email address at CDOTCanalProjects@gmail.com.
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The City of Chicago and Cook County are hiring! View their respective job posting sites below:
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Airport Expo and Job Fair
UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt
May 1, 2025
Find contracting and employment opportunities at O’Hare and Midway airports at the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Airport Expo and Job Fair, free for attendees on Thursday, May 1 at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road.
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Business representatives will recruit candidates to fill cargo, concessions, construction, security and other positions at all experience levels — with some hiring on the spot! Small business owners will learn how to obtain city certification and enter the airport business.
Access the UIC Forum via CTA Blue Line (UIC-Halsted), #12 Roosevelt bus, or #8 Halsted bus.
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Obama Presidential Center Opportunities
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West Central Association Gala
Step into a night of Magic & Moonlight as we celebrate the 13 vibrant communities of the West Central Association! Enjoy delicious food, enchanting cocktails, and mesmerizing magician activations, with illusions and surprise performances at every turn. Click here for more information.
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Volunteer with Hope's Table!
The Hope’s Table ministry is designed to serve the needs of Chicagoans who are homeless or hungry and is sponsored by First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple.
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Saturday morning services typically include serving hot meals and food to go, distributing clothing, and connecting guests with legal support through DePaul University’s Neighborhood Legal Assistance Program. Grace Episcopal Church partners in many ways, most visibly by providing space at 637 S. Dearborn. To volunteer or donate, please contact their volunteer coordinator.
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Helping Cats Near You
4th Sunday of every month, 4pm - 6pm
Details here.
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Discuss how to help community cats through TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), what to do with kittens, ongoing colony management, preventing nuisance issues and much more!
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