Chicago Fire Stadium
The Chicago Fire have officially broken ground on a new, privately funded soccer stadium at The 78 in the South Loop. This is an exciting and transformational investment that will bring jobs, visitors, and year-round activity to the riverfront and strengthen our local economy.
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I also appreciate the Chicago Fire’s willingness to engage with neighbors and incorporate community feedback, particularly regarding traffic and infrastructure planning, as this project moves forward.
Tourism Improvement District
On Friday, the Committee on Finance approved a new Tourism Improvement District that would direct new tax revenue towards efforts to boost tourism. I appreciate the advocacy of Choose Chicago on this issue and their work to help Chicago shine for our visitors from around the world.
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Early Voting is happening now!
There are early voting sites now open in all 50 Wards across Chicago. In the 34th Ward, you can vote at the UIC Student Center East (750 S. Halsted). The hours 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
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Any voter in Chicago can vote at any early voting site. To learn more about these additional sites, click here.
Two additional voting sites are open in the Loop at 137 S. State and 69 W. Washington. The sites have the following hours:
- Weekdays: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- (starting 3/9, these sites will be open until 7pm on weekdays)
- Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Greektown Restaurant Week
March 1-7, 2026
This week, visit a participating restaurant to enjoy Greektown Restaurant Week specials, ranging from complimentary appetizers to special tasting menus. Click here to find a participating restaurant.
This year, the National Hellenic Museum is also offering complimentary admission on March 5th-7th from 10am-4pm. If you're dining in Greektown, consider adding a visit to the Museum in your plans to explore Greek history, art, and culture. Learn more about the Museum here.
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Know Your Rights Resources
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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 five CAPS meetings in the 1st and 12th Districts:
- Beat 123: Wednesday, March 11th at 5pm
- Grace Episcopal Church, 637 S. Dearborn
- Beat 121: Wednesday, March 11th at 6pm
- Presidential Towers, 555 W. Madison
- Beat 1214: Wednesday, March 11th at 7pm
- Sterling Bay, 333 N. Green
- Beat 124 (Virtual): Thursday, March 12th at 10am
- Beat 122 (Virtual): Thursday, March 12th at 11am
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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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Street Closures
- Crane Lift - 63 E. Lake
- A full closure will be in place starting March 6th at 7:00PM until March 8th at 7:00PM.
- Lake Street will be closed from Michigan to Wabash, and Garland will be closed from Haddock to Lake. Detour signage will be posted
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Polk/May Stop Sign Installation
CDOT installed stop signs at Polk and May. This is an important upgrade following constituent advocacy about the need for improved pedestrian safety in the area. This installation is especially critical due to the close proximity of Galileo Elementary and Sheridan Park.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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West Bridge Leaf: Heel locks and machinery have been removed for refurbishment and/or replacement. Structural steel repairs are underway.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The City of Chicago and Cook County are hiring! View their respective job posting sites below:
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Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Old St. Pat's!
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Old St. Pat's is back with two great events for neighbors to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day.
On March 9th at 7:30pm, enjoy world class Celtic entertainment at Siamsa na nGael at the Chicago Symphony Center. Performers in this celebration of Old St. Patrick's Church's 180-year legacy include the Leo High School Choir and Catherine O’Connell. To learn more about this performance and reserve a ticket, click here.
On March 14th from 11am to 5pm, the 5th Annual Shamrock'n returns to Old St. Pat's! This is a festive event with fun for the whole family, including entertainment, food and drinks, and activities for kids. Reserve your tickets in advance here.
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The Trial of Odysseus
March 12, 7:00pm
Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph
The National Hellenic Museum Trial Series presents live, unscripted mock trials from Greek
history and myth, exploring questions of power, justice, and responsibility.
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Renowned attorneys argue before esteemed judges and a distinguished jury, while an audience votes to determine guilt or innocence.
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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.
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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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