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34th Ward Shred-A-Thon

May 9th, 9am-11am

Chicago World Language Academy Parking Lot - 1340 W. Harrison (enter at Congress and Loomis)

Are you in spring cleaning mode and not sure what to do with leftover documents, mail, and other papers? Look no further than the 34th Ward Shred-A-Thon, happening May 9th from 9am-11am (or until the truck is full)! Bring up to 2 boxes of documents to shred, and please remember to remove staples, binder clips, and paper clips.

Madison Street Clean Up Day

April 25, 9am

The West Central Association is hosting their annual Madison Street Clean-Up on April 25th at 9am. Neighbors will meet at the Unwaste Shop (1108 W. Madison) before heading out with neighbors to beautify Madison. 

Sign up and learn more below:

Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation Program

Apply by May 15th at 5pm

The Department of Planning and Development's Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation (CCSA) program has officially launched and the small business grant application that will fund up to 75% of eligible commercial space improvement costs for qualifying small businesses and property owners.

State Street from Randolph to Jackson is an eligible commercial corridor under this program, and the Chicago Loop Alliance is supporting this program locally to revitalize State Street! The Loop Alliance is partnering with DPD to assist with business-related tasks such as marketing, accounting and business planning, as well as project-specific tasks that include design and permitting.

Grant applications are open on a rolling basis and projects are selected quarterly. The first round of applications is open until 5:00 pm on May 15, 2026. To learn more about program eligibility and how to apply, click here.

Amnesty April is back!

Chicago City Clerk Valencia is waiving late fees and back charges to drivers from April 1-30, 2026.

City Stickers can be purchased at any Office of the City Clerk or Department of Finance location, online using EzBuy (must have or create an account by April 17) or at a Mobile City Hall event.

Citywide Green Social Mixer

May 14th, 6pm-9pm

Join the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy for an evening at Garfield Park Conservatory that will bring together residents, community organizations, environmental leaders, elected officials, and city partners to engage on environmental and sustainability issues across communities in Chicago. The evening will center community voices through a World Café conversation format, where participants will engage in small-group conversations focused on community priorities, root causes, and brainstorming solutions. Register in advance.

Jumping Jack Applications

Applications opened on April 15

Each year, the Jumping Jack Program delights children at block parties across Chicago. This inflatable playground, provided by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, is available for FREE on Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, May 23 through Sunday, September 6, 2026.

Please email our office to apply for a block party permit and to reserve a Jumping Jack!

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.

Apply for Chicago Youth Works!

Applications close May 29th.

Chicago Youth Works applications are now open! This youth employment program provides summer opportunities for Chicagoans ages 14-24. Interested in learning more or applying? Click here.

Know Your Rights Resources

• Request a 'Know Your Rights' training or find one happening soon
• Connect with ICIRR's Family Support Network
• Sign up for text alerts for verified nearby ICE sightings
• Find an upcoming event from the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights

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 three scheduled CAPS meetings in the 12th District.

• Beat 1224: Tuesday, April 28, 5:45pm
  • Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph
• Beat 1231, Wednesday, April 29th, 5:45pm
  • Academy Square Apartments, 318 S. Throop
• Beat 1232, Wednesday, April 29th, 7pm
  • Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 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.

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 

• S. Carpenter Street - from W. Arthington to W. Taylor - scheduled to begin on/around 5/5
• W. Polk Street - from S. Wells to S. Financial - scheduled to begin on/around 5/4

Alley Resurfacing Projects

• The N/S alley bounded by Carpenter, Aberdeen, Taylor, Arthington - scheduled to begin on/around 5/5
• The N/S alley bounded by Adams, Jackson, State, Wabash - scheduled to begin on/around 5/4

Residential Lighting Project

• W. Flournoy St., from S. Racine Ave. to S. Loomis St. - scheduled to begin on or around May 4th pending weather and coordination with existing utilities.
  • This will include the installation of new residential lighting poles with piggy back lights, LED Smart Lighting luminaries. Existing light poles will be removed following the installation of new lighting.

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.

As part of the ongoing State / Lake CTA Station Reconstruction project, a full closure was implemented on State Street, from Wacker Drive to Randolph Street, on Monday, April 13. During this closure, emergency sewer repair work will also be completed on State Street. State Street is scheduled to remain closed until May 22, 2026.

During the closure, northbound vehicles will be rerouted to Randolph Street, Dearborn Street, and Kinzie Street to re-access State Street. Southbound vehicles will be rerouted to Kinzie Street, Clark Street, and Washington Street to re-access 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. The underground CTA 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 contractor has completed placement of the base course for the roadway, installation of light poles and HMA overlay will follow. Once work on Canal is complete, reconstruction of the west half of the Jackson intersection will begin, including new base course and HMA overlay.

Canal – Van Buren to Harrison

• The contractor has begun demolition on the southwest portion of the Van Buren intersection and the northwest portion of the Harrison intersection. Base course, sidewalks, and curb installation are scheduled for this week, with completion of both intersections anticipated by the end of April.

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.  See attached photo of new truss fabrication at shop.  

• 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 install the proposed beams spanning across EB 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:

• City of Chicago
• Cook County

Union Pacific 2026 Community Ties Giving Program

Union Pacific Railroad's application period for the 2026 Community Ties Giving Program is open until Thursday, April 30. This competitive grant program helps UPRR achieve its mission by providing small- and medium-sized grants to local organizations in communities across their network. 

Learn more and apply on their website.

West Loop Wine Walk

May 15, 5pm-8pm

Join WCA for the West Loop Wine Walk! Stroll down Madison Street as you sample a diverse selection of wines. Each stop features unique pairings, showcasing the culinary talent of local restaurants. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a casual sipper, the West Loop Wine Walk offers a delightful experience for all. 

Get your ticket here.

One Earth Film Festival

April 22-27

As the Midwest’s premier environmental film festival, One Earth brings together filmmakers, activists, educators, and audiences to explore solutions to today’s most urgent environmental challenges in partnership with the City of Chicago’s Department of Environment.

This year’s program highlights stories of climate solutions, environmental justice, and grassroots leadership from Chicago and around the world. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or discovering the festival for the first time, your participation helps strengthen a growing community committed to protecting our One Earth.

Each screening features facilitated conversations with filmmakers, experts, activists, and community leaders, creating space for dialogue and equipping audiences with concrete actions to protect our planet and advance environmental justice.

Discover more and secure your tickets on the One Earth Film Festival website.

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.

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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