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I'm looking forward to seeing so many neighbors at St. Patrick's Day celebrations this weekend!

 

The St. Patrick's Day Parade is Saturday (3/14), and you're invited to march alongside me! Please RSVP in advance here. Participants should plan to arrive by 10:30 due to planned road closures. Float location info will be shared with participants who have registered.

 

The parade will step off at 12:15pm at Columbus and Balbo before heading north on Columbus to Monroe. For the river dyeing and parade, the following street closures will be in place:

  • River Dyeing

    • Bridges closed to spectators

    • Columbus, LaSalle, and Orleans Bridges will remain open for pedestrian/vehicular traffic

    • Riverwalk closed from 11pm on Friday, March 13 - 6am on Saturday, March 15

  • Parade
    • Street closures as early as 8am on Columbus Dr, from Roosevelt to Wacker
    • All east-west cross streets on Columbus, from Roosevelt to Wacker
    • All streets closed within the boundaries of Monroe, Michigan, Randolph, and Lake Shore Drive

Please note that Chicago Police may implement additional street closures as necessary due to the high volume of traffic expected this weekend. Thank you for your patience as they work to keep folks safe during these holiday celebrations!
 

The 2026 Primary is next Tuesday, March 17th!

Make a plan to vote on or before 3/17!

 

Whether you are voting early, by mail, or in person on Election Day, I encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote next Tuesday. 

 

If you're voting by mail, please note that USPS postmark rules have changed so USPS will not guarantee a Vote By Mail return ballot envelope will be postmarked the same day it is mailed, and ballots must be postmarked by Election Day (3/17). Due to this change, the Board of Elections recommends the following steps for anyone who still needs to turn in their vote by mail ballot:

  • Drop your ballot off into any of 52 Secure Drop Boxes located at all Early Voting sites in Chicago – even on Election Day!
  • Go to the post office counter and request a manual postmark
  • Deliver your ballot directly to 69 W. Washington St. – either at the First-Floor lobby drop box or in the 6th Floor office

 

Early voting locations are now open across Chicago, with one in every Ward and two located in the Loop, at 137 S. State and 69 W. Washington. In the 34th Ward, you can also vote early at the UIC Student Center, located at 750 S. Halsted. 

Also nearby is the 27th Ward early voting location at Union Park (1501 W. Randolph). The hours for the Ward voting sites are as follows:

  • Weekdays: 9:00am - 6:00pm
  • Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • Election Day (March 17): 6:00am - 7:00pm

The additional Loop voting sites at 137 S. State and 69 W. Washington will be open with the following hours:

  • Weekdays: 9:00am - 7:00pm
    • On Election Day, the Board of Elections office (69 W. Washington) will not be operating as a voting site.
  • Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Any voter in Chicago can vote at any early voting site. For a complete list of early voting locations and hours, click here.

 

Prefer to cast your ballot on Election Day? Precinct polling places are open 6am-7pm, as are the 51 additional voting sites. To find your precinct or the closest voting center on Election Day (3/17), please click here.

 

There's still time to register to vote! Not sure if you're registered? Click here. You can register or update your name or address in-person at a voting site, and be sure to bring accepted forms of identification (listed here) to ensure you can register.
 

Serve as a Poll Worker for the March 17th, 2026 Primary!

 

The Chicago Board of Elections is seeking poll workers for the March 17th, 2026 Primary, including bilingual election judges who speak Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, and Tagalog. To learn more and apply, please visit the Board of Elections website.
 

Save the Date: Get Behind the Vest Fundraiser Breakfast

March 29th, 8am-12pm

St. Ignatius College Prep, 1076 W. Roosevelt

 

Did you know that Chicago Police officers need to replace their bulletproof vests after around five years, but are only provided a vest when they join the Department?  I'm hosting the 2nd Annual Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast benefitting the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation to purchase high quality, bulletproof vests for our Chicago Police officers.

 

Thanks to your involvement, we raised over $120,000 last year and I look forward to raising even more in 2026!  I hope you can join me in supporting the officers who work hard every day to keep our communities safe. 

 

Interested in volunteering? Please sign up here.

Interested in contributing? Please donate here.
 

Central West SBIF Applications Now Open

Apply through March 30th!

 

The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) opens for applications in March in the Central West TIF district. Apply on the SBIF site by March 30.
 

My CHI. My Future. Teen Bash

March 28th, 12-4pm

Navy Pier, Aon Grand Ballroom

 

Join My CHI. My Future. for an exciting Teen Bash at Navy Pier on March 28th! This event is open to participants ages 13-19 and teens can enjoy pizza, live music, and ticket & merch giveaways! Attendees will also be able to visit a summer job resource expo from 12-2pm. Teen Bash is free, but registration is required. Click here to reserve your ticket!
 
 

Share feedback with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) about Delivery Robots

 

CDOT has created a new category of 3-1-1 requests allowing neighbors to report the impact of personal delivery robots on safety, mobility, and use of sidewalks and crosswalks alongside pedestrians and local businesses. My office is working alongside CDOT to monitor personal delivery robot operations to ensure timely responses to community concerns. 

 

Please click here to learn more or submit a request.
 

Overnight Parking Ban

December 1 - April 1, 3am-7am

 

The City's winter overnight parking ban is now in effect along 107 miles of main streets across Chicago, in addition to the Snow Route parking ban that applies to additional streets any time there is more than 2 inches of snowfall. 

 

Please be mindful of posted signage to avoid getting ticketed or towed.
 
 
 

West Loop Historic Plaques Project

 

The West Loop is steeped in history. In fact, we have 19 historical designations, but only two plaques: Old St. Pat’s- National Register of Historic Places plaque and The Jackson Boulevard Historic District- Chicago Landmark plaque. 

To see the rest of the designations, please visit Connie Fairbanks' website.

 

If you live in a historic building in The West Loop and have historical information about your building you would like to share, please reach out to Connie to learn the process of installing your very own historic plaque! 
 
 

Commercial ATM Thefts

 

The 12th District has issued an alert regarding recent ATM thefts at businesses in our community. They are strongly encouraging all businesses that operate Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to ensure that these machines are properly secured and bolted to the floor and/or wall whenever possible.  Recent incidents have shown that unsecured ATMs are vulnerable to being forcibly removed, resulting in significant financial loss and property damage. To learn more how to increase safety at your business, please contact the 12th District.
 

CCPSA 12th District Vacancy

 

Do you live in the 12th District and want to make a difference in our neighborhood to address safety and support community policing? Consider applying to be a member of the 12th District Council as part of the Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountability. Applications are open until March 15th, and you can learn more about the role and apply here.
 

CAPS Meetings

 

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!

 

Next week, there will be two CAPS meetings in the 1st District:

  • Beat 131: Wednesday, March 18th at 6pm
    • Awaken Church, 1829 S. State
  • Beat 132 (Virtual): Thursday, March 19th at 11am
 
 

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. 

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.
 
 

Helicopter Lift - 180 N. Jefferson

  • Street closures will be in place from 9am-11am on March 21st on the following streets:
    • Jefferson between Lake and Washington
    • Randolph between Desplaines and Clinton
 

State/Lake Station Closure

Started January 5th, 2026

 

On Monday, January 5th, the State/Lake elevated station closed for demolition and the construction of a new, fully accessible station. The new station is expected to be finished in 2029.

 

Lake St has been reduced to one lane at the site, and State St has been reduced to one lane in each direction between Wacker Dr and Randolph St. The work affects the CTA bus routes listed here. 

 

Trains operating along the Brown, Green, Orange and Pink lines and the Purple Line Express will no longer stop at the State/Lake elevated station for the duration of the construction. Loop trains will continue to operate, and riders can use the adjacent and fully accessible stations at Washington/Wabash and Clark/Lake. The Red Line station at Lake will remain open.

 

To learn more about construction at the State/Lake station and local impacts, visit the CTA's website.
 

Work is underway for the Canal Street Viaduct reconstruction.

 

Canal – Jackson to Van Buren

  • The section between Jackson and Van Buren is currently in stage 2 with work starting back up, due to cold temperatures, in two weeks. The work for this section is on the west half of Canal Street, and will include pavement replacement and updated lighting, as well as APS at the Van Buren intersection. There will also be staged pavement replacement on the south half of the Jackson intersection. This portion is anticipated to be completed this summer.

Canal – Van Buren to Harrison

  • This section is also in stage 2 with a small portion of base course remaining to be poured, following that will be the last stage of the Harrison intersection reconstruction on the northwest corner. HMA overlay will follow both of those activities and is also anticipated to be completed this summer.

Canal – Van Buren Intersection

  • The intersection is currently in stage 1 with the contractor working on repairs to the steel beams, a deck pour will follow the repairs for the south half of the intersection, and a stage switch for the north portion of the intersection is anticipated for this summer. Work is anticipated to be compete before the end of 2026.

 If you have any questions, please email the project email address at CDOTCanalProjects@gmail.com.
 

Lake Street Bascule Bridge Rehabilitation

Closure started on 10/6

 

The full street and sidewalk closure on the Lake Street Bascule Bridge is in effect and will last until January 2028. During the closures, access to nearby buildings and residences will be maintained for both pedestrians and vehicles.

Eastbound traffic will be rerouted south on Des Plaines, east on Washington, north on Franklin, and east onto Lake St. Westbound traffic will be rerouted south on Wacker, west on Madison, north on Jefferson, and west onto Lake St. Click here for the full detour map. During this work, CTA Green and Pink lines will operate normally until September 2026. The work on the Lake Street Bascule Bridge is expected to be completed in January 2028. 

  • West Bridge House: Daytime work continues. Demolition is largely complete, and concrete foundation repairs are underway.  Look out for walls rising above the foundation in the coming weeks.

  • Adjacent Projects: ComEd plans to begin working on a new power service to the west bridge house this weekend (2/14) and next (2/21 and 2/22).  They are working weekends to minimize the impact to adjacent properties.  They will be installing conduit across Lake Street north of Canal but will maintain both street and pedestrian access by staging the work.  Additional updates will follow.

  • West Bridge Leaf: Heel locks and machinery have been removed for refurbishment and/or replacement.  Structural steel repairs are underway.

With any ongoing questions about this project, please reach out to the CDOT project team.
 
 

Halsted Street & Chicago Avenue Bridge Project

 

The Halsted St / Chicago Ave project is underway. Crews have removed existing street lighting, traffic signals, signage, and bus shelters. Viaduct removal is underway along the north leg of Halsted and the east end of Chicago Ave.

 

Demolition of the Chicago Ave bridge will continue over the next month. In areas where demolition is complete, crews will begin constructing new bridge piers. Crews will implement measures to minimize disruptions as much as possible, but noise and dust are inherent to the bridge demolition process.

 

Full closure of the Chicago Ave Bridge began September 29. The current detour map can be found here. The full project is expected to be completed by the end of the year 2026.
 

Ashland/I-290 Expressway Viaduct Work

 

Stage 2 traffic is currently being implemented on Ashland Av from Flournoy St to Jackson St to facilitate the reconstruction of the west side of the Ashland Ave bridge. 

In this stage, traffic configuration will consists of two lanes southbound and one lane northbound on Ashland Ave.

 

A detour plan for the restricted left turn lane from Ashland Ave to Van Buren St will be implemented to send traffic to WB Jackson Blvd, SB Laflin St, then WB Van Buren St. A detour plan will also be implemented for the restricted left turn lane from Ashland Ave to Congress Parkway to send traffic to EB Harrison St, NB Wood St, then EB Congress Parkway. In addition, that the west side sidewalk of the bridge will be closed, and pedestrians will be detoured to east side sidewalk of the bridge.

 

Stage 2 is underway to reconstruct the east half of the bridge. During Stage 2, traffic configuration will also consist of two lanes southbound and one lane northbound on Ashland Ave. The project is anticipated to be complete late June 2026.

 

This week, the contractor will work day and night to remove the existing beams spanning over I-290 expressway. The project is still anticipated to be completed by June 2026. There are no changes to stage 2 traffic configuration

 

For road construction updates and general travel information please visit IDOT’s Getting Around Illinois website.
 
 

The City of Chicago and Cook County are hiring! View their respective job posting sites below:
 
 
 
 

Celebrate International Women's Day at the National Hellenic Museum!

March 19th, 6pm

333 South Halsted

 

The Consulate General of Greece in Chicago, in collaboration with the National Hellenic Museum, invites you to celebrate International Women's Day with Professor Artemis Leontis from the University of Michigan. 

Eggs Across Cultures & Museum Egg Hunt

March 28, 10:30am

333 S. Halsted

 

Celebrate Easter Egg traditions from around the Orthodox world at Eggs Across Cultures, a hands-on family program presented by the National Hellenic Museum’s initiative Museums in Conversation, in collaboration with the Ukrainian National Museum, at 10:30am on Saturday, March 28th.

After, at 11am, participate in a Museum-wide Easter Egg Hunt! Search among the exhibits for Greek traditional red eggs. Families welcome!
 
 
 

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.

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.
 

Helping Cats Near You

 

4th Sunday of every month, 4pm - 6pm
Details here.

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!