I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at my Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast at St. Ignatius on Sunday!
Please note: the 34th Ward office will be closed on Monday, March 31st.
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Get Behind the Vest Breakfast
March 30th, 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 Police Department? I'm hosting a Get Behind the Vest pancake breakfast benefitting the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation to purchase high quality, bulletproof vests, and hope you can join to support the officers who work hard every day to keep our communities safe.
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Last Thursday, I joined the Garcia's Chicago team for a ribbon cutting at this exciting new music venue at 1001 W. Washington. To learn more about the space and upcoming shows, click here.
I joined Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Boatright, and Commissioner Castañeda this morning to celebrate the groundbreaking of 79 W. Monroe, the first of four office-to-residential conversions in the Loop. This project is an exciting and vital step to revitalize our downtown.
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2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race Community Engagement Meeting
April 2nd, 6pm
NASCAR will be hosting a community engagement meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CT to share information about the 2025 Chicago Street Race Weekend.
Representatives from NASCAR, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, and others will be present and respond to questions from the community.
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2025 Street Sweeping Schedule
Street sweeping starts next Tuesday, April 1st, and the schedule is now live! Find a map and scheduled dates here.
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Residential Recycling Event
April 5th, 10am-12pm
World Language Academy Parking Lot (accessible on Congress between Loomis and Throop)
I'm excited to partner again with MWRD Commissioner Yumeka Brown and Sheriff Tom Dart to host a shredding, electronics recycling, and drug take back event. We will be joined by the offices of Cook County Commissioner Michael Scott, Jr., State Representatives Jawaharial "Omar" Williams and Yolonda Morris, and State Senator Lakesia Collins.
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Please see the above flyer for a full list of accepted electronics. Medications must be in containers, and hypodermic needles and liquid medications will not be accepted.
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Block Party Planning
Jumping Jack applications open on April 15th!
No better way to celebrate the first day of spring than planning your block party! For application information, please email pc@ward34.org.
Jumping Jack applications will open 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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CityArts Program Application
Chicago arts and culture nonprofits are invited to apply for general operations funding from the 2025 CityArts grant program!
Applications are due on Friday, April 4 at noon CT. Informational webinars will take place on March 18 and 27. Learn more, register for the webinars and apply here.
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Stay connected with the 34th Ward on social media!
Alderman Conway can be found at the links below or with the @AldConway handle on the following platforms.
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Free Tax Prep Assistance
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is excited to announce the return of the Tax Prep program, offering free income tax preparation and assistance for households earning up to $67,000 or individuals earning up to $35,000 annually. Services will be available at various Chicago and suburban locations from January 25 to April 15, 2025. No appointment is needed - but it is recommended that neighbors arrive early, as sites close when they reach capacity.
For further information on accessing the free tax assistance program:
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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!
There are two beat meetings scheduled for next week, both on Wednesday, April 2nd in the 1st District.
- Beat 114: April 2, 2025 at 3:00pm
- Beat 112: April 2, 2025 at 5:30pm
- Capital One Cafe at 100 S State St, Chicago, IL 60603
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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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34th Ward Infrastructure Updates
- Detached bump-outs are being installed at Flournoy and Laflin ahead of street resurfacing tentatively scheduled for this season.
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- Bike median extensions on Harrison from Desplaines to Canal started March 12th after last year's resurfacing project. Flaggers will be on site to assist traffic in the area, and work is expected to conclude by March 28th.
- Street Resurfacing (start dates weather permitting)
- S. Sangamon from Monroe to Adams, start date 3/21
- S. Carpenter from Arthington to Taylor, start date 3/21
- Alley Improvements (start dates weather permitting)
- Alley bounded by Adams, Jackson, Wabash to State, start date 3/19
- Alley bounded by Van Buren, Jackson, Sangamon to Peoria, start date 3/21
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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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 Closures
- Bridge Testing: in advance of boating season, the CDOT is conducting bridge testing along the Chicago River. They will happen on the following dates:
- March 28, 12am-5am: Jackson Bridge
- March 31, 9:30am-2:30pm: Clark Bridge
- April 1, 9:30am-2:30pm: Dearborn Bridge
- April 2, 9:30am-2:30pm: State Bridge
- April 3, 9:30am-2:30pm: Wabash Bridge
- April 3, 10pm - April 4, 5am: Michigan Bridge
- Helicopter Lift: On March 29, from 9am-11am, there is a planned helicopter lift at 118 N. Clark. During the lift, the adjacent blocks of Clark, Washington, and Randolph will be closed.
- Hellenic Heritage Parade: On April 6th, this parade will step off at Halsted and Van Buren and head north to Madison.
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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 3/31
- Backfill gas main installation openings in Wabash between Harrison and Balbo (9 am-4 pm M-Tues)
- Backfill gas service cutoffs in Wabash between Adams and Jackson (9 am-4 pm M-Tues)
- Backfill gas main installation in Adams between Michigan and Wabash (9 am-4 pm M-Tues)
- Begin retirement excavations in 11th St. between Michigan and Wabash (9 am-4 pm M-F)
- Begin retirement excavations in Wabash between Balbo and 9th (9 am-4 pm M-F)
Week of 4/7
- Continue retirement excavations in 11th St. between Michigan and Wabash (9 am-4 pm M-F)
- Continue retirement excavations in Wabash between Balbo and 9th (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: February 19, 2025
Reconstruction of the Canal Street Viaduct between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard continues.
The Canal Street east sidewalk will be fully closed between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard starting in late winter for approximately 2.5 months. During this time, Chicago Union Station can be accessed from the west sidewalk of Canal Street as well as all building entrances available between Clinton Street and the Chicago River. A nightly lane closure on westbound Adams Street should be expected.
A concrete bridge deck pour is anticipated to occur in spring of 2025. At this time, traffic will be detoured around a weekend roadway closure at the intersections of Canal Street/Adams Street and Canal Street/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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Friends of Skinner West Gala
April 11, 6pm
Join the Friends of Skinner West (FOSW) for their 2025 Gala, a night dedicated to supporting students and funding vital programs at Skinner West School. This event is open to the entire community! Don't miss this exciting evening filled with great food, entertainment, and opportunities to give back!
Tickets are on sale now! For a special early bird rate, click here.
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Parents: POW Gym is offering discounted babysitting from 5:30–10 PM for children in Kindergarten and up, so the kids can enjoy a fun-filled evening while you do too!
For additional details or to donate to their auction, contact Friends of Skinner West at friendsofskinnerwest2011@gmail.com.
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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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