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January City Council Updates

 

Yesterday, we kicked off the year with our January meeting of City Council. At the meeting, an amended curfew ordinance was held in committee and Council passed a ban on most hemp products, except for the sale of beverages and topicals to customers 21 and over. 

  • I introduced an ordinance that will update the Noise Sensitive Zone law to better reflect Chicago's diverse religious communities. With hate crimes targeting people based on faith on the rise, it's critical our laws protect everyone's right to gather safely and worship without fear.
  • Council also approved a $22 million settlement in a tragic case, which was the right decision given the verdict risk. However, we're now less than a month into the year with nearly 25% of our annual settlement budget spent. You can listen to my full warning about the unsustainable costs of these settlements here.
  • The adaptive re-use of 30 N. LaSalle, which will bring 349 new housing units to the Loop, was approved. This project will reduce empty office space, create 105 units of much-needed affordable housing, and catalyze growth downtown. 
  • International Holocaust Remembrance Day is Tuesday, January 27th. As City Council recognized it at our January meeting, we were honored to hear from Yvonne Aronson, a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to Chicago in 1947. Her harrowing story of survival is included as part of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center's Survivor Profiles, which you can read here.
 

Potential Parking Meter Buyback

 

On Friday, we learned Mayor Johnson was considering a multi-billion dollar buyback of the City's parking meters. Ultimately, the Mayor declined to move forward after initially submitting a bid because the cost would have been nearly three times what these meters originally sold for.

 

As a Finance Professor and former banker, I did a thorough analysis and looked at approximate city borrowing rates in a potential parking meter buyback. Although the mayor was not forthcoming with potential details, it did not appear that this would be a good investment of taxpayer dollars, especially in light of the City’s current fiscal challenges.

 

The original parking meter deal was disastrous for taxpayers, and any buyback would require scrutiny to ensure it wouldn't simply kick the can to another generation of Chicagoans.
 

Cold Weather Advisory

 

The National Weather Service has forecasted dangerously cold weather, including sub-zero windchills as low as 30 to 35 below, starting tonight through this weekend. During this bitter cold, please take extra precautions (listed in the graphics below and available here) and check in on your neighbors. To request a well-being check, please call 3-1-1. 

 

Due to the dangerously low temperatures, Chicago Public Schools cancelled all classes and after school activities scheduled for tomorrow, January 23rd.

 

A number of locations will be operating as warming centers, and on Saturday and Sunday, the following will be open:

  • Garfield Center at 10 S. Kedzie, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. each day.
  • Chicago Public Library locations, open during operating hours.
  • Chicago Park District locations, open during operating hours.
  • City Colleges of Chicago, open during operating hours.
  • Chicago Police Districts, 24 hours.

To find the closest warming center, you can also call 3-1-1 or visit the City's Warming Center Map.
 

Congress/Canal TIF Expansion

 

Please join the Department of Planning and Development for an upcoming public meeting regarding the proposed expansion of the Canal/Congress TIF to include the Greyhound Station at 630 W. Harrison.

 

This meeting will be held on January 29th at 5:30pm at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street, in Room 1003A. This will be an opportunity to hear from the Department of Planning and Development about their plans for this site and share public comment.

 

With any questions, please email my office or call 312-744-6820.
 
 

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.
 

Changes to SNAP Benefits Start February 1

Take action now to maintain your benefits!

 

The federal government passed a new law that makes significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Link in Illinois. 

 

Follow these steps before February 1 so you don't lose your food and grocery benefits:

  1. Update your information: Report any changes to your income or household to the Illinois Department of Human Services.
  2. Review work requirements: Find out if you need to be connected with a job, volunteer opportunity, or education & training program for at least 80 hours per month. If you qualify for an exemption, apply for one.
  3. Stay informed: Get the latest updates and share this information with family and friends.

 

Nobody should go hungry because of paperwork, and there is support available. The Greater Chicago Food Depository can help you manage your benefits or sign up for SNAP today.
 

Know Your Rights

 

Visit the City's "Protecting Chicago" website to connect with resources and information about their immigration rights in Chicago. Click the images below to access the site and these resources.
 
 

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! 
 
 

Apply to Serve on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability

Applications are open January 7 - February 6

 

Applications to serve on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) are now open. The District Councils’ Nominating Committee invites community leaders interested in filling one of the three upcoming vacancies on the CCPSA. Complete information about eligibility can be found on the CCPSA website.

 

All qualified candidates are eligible to apply, and candidates that are young adults (18-24) and northside residents are highly encouraged to participate.
 

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 12th District:

  • Beat 1231: Tuesday, January 27th at 5:45pm
    • Academy Square Apartments, 318 S. Throop
  • Beat 1232: Tuesday, January 27th at 7:00pm
    • St. Francis of Assisi, 813 W. Roosevelt
 

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.
 
 

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 Street viaduct was reopened to northbound traffic on the west side lanes between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard on December 22, 2025.  The east side bus lanes will remain closed due to construction work occurring north of Adams Street.  Northbound traffic from Van Buren will be set up to allow a right turn only at Jackson.

Phase III began December 15th

 

Phase III of the Canal Viaduct Rehabilitation Project started on December 15th. This phase continues the viaduct rehabilitation on Canal above Union Station between Madison and Adams.

 

Two northbound lanes will remain open and pedestrian access will be maintained on the west sidewalk. For additional information, please visit the CDOT project site.

 

 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. 

  • Counterweight Shoring (Major Milestone):The bridge counterweight is now fully supported by temporary shoring towers, allowing critical repairs to proceed while maintaining CTA train service.

  • Night Work: Rehabilitation of CTA steel structures will occur during normal service outages from 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM. These night shifts (10:00 PM–6:00 AM) will begin Monday night (weather permitting) and continue for approximately two weeks. No impacts to scheduled CTA service are expected.

  • West Bridge House: Daytime work continues. Demolition is largely complete, and foundation repairs will begin in the coming weeks.

    Adjacent Projects: ComEd is anticipated to provide new power service to the west bridge house in the first half of 2026. Additional updates will follow.

     

  • 150 N Riverside Upper Riverwalk Access: Pedestrian access from Lake Street to 150 N Riverside Plaza Upper Riverwalk has been closed since Monday, 1/12/26, and will remain closed until sidewalk restoration is complete, expected later in Summer 2026.

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 1 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 Spring 2026. Stage 1 traffic configuration was implemented at the end of April, and is on schedule to be completed by December.

 

Next week, the contractor will work on a nightly basis to continue the existing bridge demolition within stage 2 limits.

 

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:
 
 
 

Chicago Museum Member Swap

 

The National Hellenic Museum is excited to be one of eleven Chicago museums participating in the first ever Chicago Museum Member Swap!

 

From January 29-February 1st, enjoy FREE admission to 11 incredible museums across Chicago, just by showing membership at one of the these museums. The NHM is also offering 50% off memberships to take advantage of this weekend!

The Trial of Odysseus
March 12, 7:00pm

 

The National Hellenic Museum Trial Series presents live, unscripted mock trials from Greek
history and myth, exploring questions of power, justice, and responsibility. Renowned attorneys
argue before esteemed judges and a distinguished jury, while an audience votes to determine
guilt or innocence.
 
 
 
 

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!