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Severe Weather Alert

 

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch until 9pm today, June 11th. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications will provide severe weather updates via their NotifyChicago alert system. If you are not already signed up, you can do so online.

 

Thank you to the neighbors who have contacted my office about impacts from yesterday's storm. Please continue to call 312-744-6820 to report downed branches so we can work with Streets and Sanitation to remove them.

 

Police are seeking to identify a person of interest pictured leaving the site where a cross was burned in Grant Park earlier this week. This symbol of hate and attack on our community will not be tolerated.

 

If you can provide information on the identity or whereabouts of this person of interest, please contact Chicago Police Arson Detectives at (312) 746-7618.

 

Greyhound Station Update

 

At yesterday's committee on Housing and Real Estate, we passed an ordinance that will allow the City to purchase the Greyhound bus terminal. To hear my full remarks, click here. This will be considered for final passage at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 17th at 10am. 

 

I recognize that the Greyhound Terminal has been a source of public safety and quality-of-life concerns for the surrounding community for many years. As the City assumes control of the facility, I will work closely with the Chicago Police Department, CDOT, and Streets and Sanitation to make sure this bus station is done right for both nearby residents and the approximately 470,000 passengers who rely on the terminal each year.

 

Proposed Sale of Chicago's Parking Meters

 

On Monday, the Committee on Finance will hear more about the proposed sale of Chicago’s parking meters from its current private owner to a new private infrastructure firm. The parking meter deal was one of the worst taxpayer disasters in a generation. If the terms don't improve, Council shouldn't approve. I'll continue to share updates on this proposed transfer of ownership as they are available.

 

Apply for the Mayor's Youth Commission by June 19!

 

The Mayor's Youth Commission (MYC) is a group of up to 40 Chicagoans ages of 14 and 19 that serve as a liaison between the Chicago Mayor's Office and Chicago's youth. The Commission meets monthly to foster youth-driven civic engagement and amplify youth voices to impact the City's critical policy conversations. This is a paid opportunity for youth and a great way for young people to get their voices heard!

 

Green City Market - West Loop

Saturdays from 8am-1pm

900 W. Monroe

 

The West Loop Green City Market is open on Saturdays on Monroe from Peoria to Sangamon! My team and I are looking forward to another season of bringing City Hall to you! We will be at the market from 9am to 11am this Saturday.

This week, we'll be joined by Cook County Commissioner Michael Scottt, Jr. and his office from 9am-10am! Commissioner Scott and his team will be available to answer your questions about County services.

 

Green City Market brings dozens of local farmers and food producers to our neighborhood every Saturday from May to November. To see what vendors participate across Green City Market's locations, click here.

South Loop Farmers Market

Printers Row Park, 632 S. Dearborn St

Saturdays from 9am-1pm

 

The South Loop Farmers Market returns to Printers Row Park this Saturday, May 16! Stop by on Saturdays through October 31 to support local businesses and connect with neighbors.

 

Daley Plaza Farmers Market

50 W. Washington

Thursdays from 7am-2pm

 

Starting May 21st, visit Daley Plaza on Thursdays from 7am-2pm for the Daley Plaza Farmers Market! This market hosts a variety of vendors, with offerings from fresh produce to prepared foods and more.

 

The Farmer at the Green

The Green at 320, 320 S. Canal

Tuesdays from 11am-3pm

 

The Farmer at the Green opens for another season at 320 S. Canal on June 2nd! This season runs until September 29 and brings over 25 local vendors selling seasonal produce, fresh floral arrangements, handmade goods, and artisanal products.  

 

Thursday Night Beats and Bites

Roosevelt Collection

Thursdays in June and July from 5-8pm

 

Roosevelt Collection will be hosting local food trucks/vendors and curating live entertainment! Food will be located on the main plaza, and live entertainment will be on the North Turf near Nando's. View the schedule on their website.

 
 
 

Millennium Park Summer Events

 

DCASE released their calendar of free & exciting summer events taking place in Millennium Park, including movies, fitness classes, and concerts! Whether you're hoping to catch a screening of 'Ratatouille' before Taste of Chicago, a celebration of Chicago's house music scene, or a workout class with a top local instructor, there's something for everyone in this summer's park programming! Click here for a full schedule.

 

Street Sweeping began April 1!

 

As the weather starts to warm up, we're ready to usher in a new street sweeping season! Since April 1st, sweepers have been back in action, so keep in mind the street sweeping schedule in your area so you don't get ticketed and towed. I have worked with the Department of Streets and Sanitation on a robust street sweeping schedule this year. Please click here to find your street sweeping zone and here to find your zone's schedule.

 
 

Turn Lights Off to Protect Migratory Birds

 

Every spring and fall, millions of birds travel through the Chicago area. For more than two decades, Chicago has been a leader in light reduction efforts to protect these migratory birds. Please join participating buildings and turn lights off after 11 p.m. until daylight during migration and help save birds. 

 

To learn more, visit the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors' website.

 

West Loop Historic Plaques Project

 

The West Loop is steeped in history. In fact, we have 19 historical designations, three historic plaques, and one Chicago Landmarks plaque.

Four more historic plaques are coming to the West Loop early summer 2026, including a UIC classroom, a condo building, and two parks!

 

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! 

 
 

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 are two scheduled CAPS meetings in the 1st and 12th Districts.

  • Beat 1214: Tuesday, June 16th at 7pm
    • 333 N. Green
  • Beat 132: Wednesday, June 17th at 5pm
    • Long Grove House, 2001 S. Michigan
  • Beat 131: Thursday, June 18th at 12pm
 

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.

 
 

IDOT Bridge Rehab Work

 

Upcoming work by the Illinois Department of Transportation will impact the Ohio and Ontario feeder ramps to I-90/94. This work will include pavement patching repairs that require full weekend closures, alternating between the Ohio Street and Ontario Street ramps. The scheduled closure weekends are:

  • June 12
  • June 26
  • July 17
  • July 24 (backup weekend)

Closures are expected to begin at 10:00 p.m. on Friday and continue through 5:00 a.m. on Monday.

 

34th Ward Infrastructure Improvements

All dates subject to change based on weather.

 

With any questions about planned infrastructure improvements, please email bill@ward34.org or call 312-744-6820.

Street Resurfacing Projects

  • 900 block of S. Carpenter - completed
  • W. Polk St., from S. Wells to S. Financial - in progress

Alley Improvement Projects

  • N/S alley bounded by Adams, Jackson, Wabash to State - completed
  • N/S alley bounded by Arthington, Taylor, Carpenter to Aberdeen - completed

New Alley Reconstruction Project

  • E/W alley bounded by Lytle, Ada, Lexington to Flournoy - date TBA

Curb & Gutter Improvement Projects

  • 901 - 927 S. Aberdeen - completed
  • 103 - 109 S. Aberdeen - in progress (restoration from fiber optic)
  • 231-241 S. Jefferson - date TBA

Alley Apron Replacement Project

  • 929 S. Aberdeen - completed

Sidewalk Replacement - Tripping Hazards

  • 1167 W. Madison - date TBA

Bump Out Installation

  • W. Polk & S. LaSalle - in progress
  • W. Polk & S. Financial - in progress
  • S. Jefferson & W. Tilden - scheduled to begin on/around 6/26

Residential Lighting Project

  • 1200 & 1300 blocks of W. Flournoy - in progress

CDOT Electrical Improvement Projects

  • W. Tilden, from S. Desplaines to S. Canal - currently in progress
  • S. Jefferson, from W. Jackson to W. Tilden - currently in progress
  • W. Van Buren, from S. Desplaines to S. Canal - currently in progress
 

State/Lake Station Closure

 

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.

 

As part of the ongoing State / Lake CTA Station Reconstruction project, a full closure has been implemented on State Street, from Wacker Drive to Randolph Street. State Street is scheduled to remain closed until May 22, 2026. Lake Street, between State Street and Wabash Avenue, will remain closed indefinitely. During this closure, emergency sewer repair work will also be completed on State Street.

 

Local business and driveway access on State Street will be maintained during the closures, and at least one sidewalk will be open at all times for pedestrians. CTA bus detour information can be found here. The underground CTA Red Line train 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

  • On Friday, May 15, the contractor began work on the western portion of the Jackson intersection. The first phase of work will occur in the southwest portion. Closure of the southwest portion is scheduled to begin after the morning rush hour, at approximately 10:00 a.m. The second phase will then shift operations to the northwest portion of the intersection.
  • The bus depot located at the southwest corner of Jackson and Canal will remain open throughout construction. Each phase is anticipated to last approximately four to six weeks.

Canal – Van Buren Intersection

  • Framing for Stage 1 of the Van Buren intersection is underway. Deck placement is anticipated in early summer, followed by a stage switch to the northeast portion of the intersection.

 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. Concrete foundation repairs are nearly complete, and bridge house wall construction is underway.  

  • West Bridge Leaf:  Structural steel repairs are ongoing.  The West leaf steel fabrication is progressing to completion for the 12-day CTA outage float-in this fall.  

  • Reminder – 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 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 pour a concrete wearing surface on top of the precast approach slab panels. 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:

 
 
 

National Hellenic Museum First Summer Sundays

333 S. Halsted

 

From June through August 2026, the National Hellenic Museum is offering free admission to visitors on the first Sunday of the month from 10am-4pm!

 

Visit their website to learn more about their current exhibits.

 
 

Summer Screenings from the Chicago International Film Festival

June 3 - August 22, 2026

 

Hit the road with the Chicago International Film Festival for the 2026 Summer Screenings program, an annual free film series that casts a spotlight on a different country’s national cinema each week all summer long!


In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Route 66, America’s most iconic highway, this year’s Summer Screenings program will pay homage to the classic “road movie,” in which the journey is the destination.

 

Featuring everything from gripping revenge odysseys and harrowing ocean crossings to introspective cross-country treks and whirlwind railway capers, these films explore what it means to “hit the road” in countries across the globe.


Summer Screenings films will play on Wednesdays at 6:30pm at the Chicago Cultural Center and Saturdays at 1:00pm at the Chicago History Museum. Tickets are released every Monday at 10:00am for the following week’s films. Doors open at 5:45pm for Wednesday Screenings and 12:15pm for Saturday screenings.

 
 
 

Art of Living Well

Renaissance Court Senior Center, 78 E Washington

May 11 - July 27

 

Featuring work created in DFSS Senior Centers, 'Art of Living Well' highlights the creativity, growth, and talent of older adults while offering a glimpse into the vibrant programs that support them.

 

In recognition of Older Americans Month, this exhibit also shares personal reflections on how art and creative expression contribute to overall well-being, while embracing the theme, Champion Your Health.

 

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!