I hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend. I hope to see many of you at Saturday's parade. My office will be closed on Monday, May 26th and will reopen on Tuesday, May 27th.
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May is Military Appreciation Month, and yesterday, a sign was installed outside City Hall reflecting Chicago joining other Purple Heart Cities across the country. As the only active reservist in the history of City Council, I'm proud to work on initiatives to support veterans across our City.
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If you are a veteran and want to learn more about available benefits, please stop by the 3rd floor of Harold Washington Library (400 S. State) on June 4th from 10am-3pm. A representative from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) will be available to help veterans obtain benefits and answer any questions you may have. The VBA provides educational, healthcare, and housing resources to enrolled military veterans. Visit the VBA website to learn more about the VBA's services.
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City Council Updates
At yesterday's City Council, the proposed curfew ordinance that would allow the Police Superintendent to establish a curfew during mass gatherings was stalled, despite having the support of the majority of my colleagues. This is a common-sense measure that would enable police to address situational safety concerns, and I look forward to supporting this ordinance at the June meeting of City Council.
Yesterday, I was proud to co-sponsor a resolution celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month and recognizing the many contributions of our Jewish neighbors to our City. Working to support Jewish Chicagoans is essential as we fight against antisemitism, which has no place in our communities. My thoughts are with the families of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were killed in an antisemitic attack yesterday at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. This violence against the Jewish community is unacceptable and we must remain committed to stopping hate in all its forms.
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Memorial Day Parade
Saturday, May 24th
I hope to see many of you at Saturday's Memorial Day Parade. No Parking restrictions will be posted along the route and from 7:00am – 4:00pm. There will also be parking restrictions around Daley Plaza for the Wreath Laying.
For parade staging, there will be no parking allowed on W. Wacker, from Wabash St. to Franklin St. All N/S streets approaching Wacker will remain open until parade kick off. The State St. bridge remains closed due to construction project
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The parade steps off at 12:00 noon at State & Lake, before proceeding south to W. Jackson St. past viewing stand between Washington & Madison and then to the end of the parade at Jackson. All east/west streets will have parking restrictions from Dearborn to Wabash & remain open until approx. 11:00am (based on CPD discretion)
To allow for parade disbanding, there will be no parking on Van Buren St., from S. Wabash St. to S. Franklin St. (both sides of street).
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Sueños Music Festival Impacts
The 2025 Sueños Music Festival is May 24th and 25th. Please plan ahead for the following local impacts:
- Street Closures
- Balbo from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive: May 14th – May 31st
- Columbus, from Jackson to Roosevelt: May 22nd– May 26th
- Balbo, from Michigan to Columbus: May 22nd – May 26th
- Ida B Wells/Congress Circle from Michigan to Columbus: May 22nd – May 26th
- Columbus is subject to closure at the discretion of City officials.
- Sidewalk Closures
- Michigan, from Jackson to Roosevelt: May 24th – 25th
- Balbo (both sides, from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive: May 14th – May 31st
- Balbo (both sides), from Michigan to Columbus: May 22nd – May 26th
- Columbus (both sides), from Roosevelt to Balbo: May 15th – May 30th
- Columbus (both sides), from Balbo to Jackson: May 23rd – May 27th
- DuSable Lake Shore Drive (Southbound side), from Jackson to Roosevelt: May 21st – May 27th
- Congress Plaza Dr, from Michigan to Columbus: May 24th – May 25th
Pedestrian access will be maintained from 11th Street through Columbus and Lake Shore Drive tunnels to/from the Museum Campus. The Grant Bark Park will be open and accessible via the 11th Street bridge until Friday, May 23rd and will reopen Monday, May 26th. During this time, there will be a temporary dog park available for use southeast of the Skate Park.
For complete community information, visit the Sueños website.
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8 N. Morgan Construction Update
Prep work for the building at 8 N. Morgan is scheduled to begin the week of May 26th, weather permitting. Piling mobilization is scheduled to begin May 30th, and the pile installation will begin on June 6th. A sidewalk canopy will be installed on June 23rd. All dates are weather permitting. Contractors have been in touch with impacted buildings for vibration monitoring.
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 email Alex Najem.
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Green City Market
900 W. Monroe
Saturdays 8am-1pm, starting May 3
My team and I enjoyed meeting with neighbors on Saturday at the Green City Market West Loop market. This year, the market has moved to the 900 block of W. Monroe, between Peoria and Sangamon.
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My team will not be at the market this weekend but is looking forward to being back on May 31st. Hope you can join to shop local ahead of your Memorial Day celebrations!
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2025 Street Sweeping Schedule
Street sweeping started April 1st, and the schedule is live! Find a map and scheduled dates here. Be sure to move your vehicle on your posted street sweeping dates to avoid getting ticketed or towed.
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Block Party Planning
Jumping Jack applications opened on April 15th!
I'm looking forward to this summer's block parties across the Ward! For application information, please email pc@ward34.org.
Jumping Jack applications opened 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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West Loop Historic Plaques Project
Local West Loop historian Connie Fairbanks is looking to connect with buildings on the National Register of Historic Places/Illinois Landmarksto install identifying plaques.
To see the landmarked buildings, please visit her website. If you a connection at these locations, please contact Connie.
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If you live in a historic building in The West Loop and have some historical information about your building you would like to share, please reach out to Connie if you would like to learn the process of installing your very own historic plaque!
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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 no CAPS meetings scheduled for next week.
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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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Speed Camera Installations
I'm excited to share that automated speed cameras are planned for installation at the following locations:
- on Racine, between Harrison and Lexington
- on Desplaines, between Jackson and Monroe
- on Jefferson, between Jackson and Monroe
- on Michigan, between Monroe and Van Buren
These locations were chosen because of their proximities to parks and schools. Installation dates have not yet been scheduled, but I will provide updates when they are planned.
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Please note: the Roosevelt Road Bridge project is scheduled to begin Stage 2 on May 29th-30th, weather permitting.
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34th Ward Infrastructure Updates
2025 Sidewalk Improvement Repair Projects
- Completed: ADA tripping hazard at 1 S. Clinton
- Completed: Tripping hazards at 1000 W. Adams
- Completed: ADA tripping hazard at 900 W. Adams
- Completed: Tripping hazards at 1069-73 W. Vernon Park
- Completed: Tripping hazards at 108-46 S. Peoria (Mary Bartelme Park)
- Completed: Tripping hazards at 940 W. Madison
- Completed (punch list items to follow): Tripping hazards at 200-298 S. Sangamon
- Completed (punch list items to follow): Tripping hazards at 1011-1121 W. Vernon Park
- Completed (punch list items to follow): Tripping hazards at 1131-41 W. Vernon Park
- Starting soon: Tripping hazards at 837 S. Carpenter
- Starting soon: Tripping hazards at 202 S. Carpenter
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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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NASCAR Local Impact Updates
The NASCAR construction schedule is now live, and has been adjusted in response to feedback from neighbors:
- NASCAR activity in Grant Park starts June 19th, 16 days before the event and 10 days later than in 2024.
- Impact to Michigan Avenue (Ida B. Wells to Jackson) reduced by 5 days
- The total build time for the race is 25 days, a 42% reduction since 2023.
More information on the local impacts of the 2025 NASCAR race can be found here, including a full list of street and sidewalk impacts.
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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 1 will remain in effect until the west side of the bridge is reconstructed. Following this, Stage 2 will be implemented 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.
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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Traffic Impacts
- Polk Street from LaSalle to Clark will be closed 9am-4pm on May 15th.
- Memorial Day Weekend Street Closures: May 23-26
- 1-98 N. Columbus
- 1-299 S. Columbus
- 100-399 E. Jackson
- 100-399 E. Monroe
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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 5/19
- Finish backfilling retirement openings in Wabash between Monroe and Balbo (9 am- 4 pm M-F)
- Continue Restoration
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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: April 22, 2025
Reconstruction of the Canal Street Viaduct between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard continues.
The Canal Street east sidewalk will remain closed between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard for approximately 2 months. During this time, Chicago Union Station can be accessed from the west sidewalk of Canal Steet as well as all building entrances available between Clinton Street and the Chicago River.
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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Apply for the ComEd EV Rally
ComEd is excited to announce the return of its signature summer program for young women, the ComEd EV Rally. Young women from across northern Illinois can now apply to participate in this summer event, a competition that challenges 45 teen girls to build and race high-tech, electric-powered go-carts.
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The application is open to any female Illinois resident between the ages of 13 and 18. Applications are available on the ComEd site and the application will close on Sunday, June 1.
Participants will be notified in June that they were selected for this once-in-a-lifetime program, and the program will culminate with the participants racing their vehicles at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
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Summer Movies at Mary Bartelme Park
Mark your calendars for five exciting movies brought to you by the Mary Bartelme Park Advisory Council! All movies begin at dusk. For the full 'Movies in the Parks' schedule, click here.
- June 16: Raiders of the Lost Ark
- June 23: Homeward Bound
- July 14: Mean Girls
- July 29: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
- August 19: Top Gun
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West Loop Wine Walk
June 6th, 4pm-7pm
Madison from Carpenter to Ada
Join West Central Association for their first-ever Wine Walk on Madison Row! Stroll along Madison Row as 14 local businesses offer wine tastings, small bites, giveaways, and in-store specials.
For tickets and more information, click here.
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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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