The 34th Ward Office will be closed on Monday, March 3rd for Pulaski Day.
 

City Council Updates

 

Yesterday, 26 of my colleagues in City Council made a bad deal for our children and approved Mayor Johnson's borrowing proposal. As a result, we will pay over $2 billion in debt service on an $830 million bond. We didn’t have to choose between investing in our communities OR being fiscally responsible—my alternative plan would have done both and could have saved $1 billion. I'm incredibly disappointed by the Mayor’s reckless decisions, but I’ll keep fighting for our future.
 

23 S. Sangamon Community Meeting

March 4, 2025, 6:30pm

Merit School of Music, 38 S. Peoria

 

Please join the development team on March 4th at 6:30pm for a community meeting regarding a proposed change to the planned development at 23 S. Sangamon.

This new proposal is for a 26-story building which will include 197 dwelling units (180 apartments and 13 condos), 70 parking spaces, and a recreation space. I hope you can join the development team to hear more about this proposal.
 

Stay connected with the 34th Ward on social media! 

 

Alderman Conway can be found at the links below or with the @AldConway handle on the following platforms.
 

Free Tax Prep Assistance

 

The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is excited to announce the return of the Tax Prep program, offering free income tax preparation and assistance for households earning up to $67,000 or individuals earning up to $35,000 annually. Services will be available at various Chicago and suburban locations from January 25 to April 15, 2025. No appointment is needed - but it is recommended that neighbors arrive early, as sites close when they reach capacity.

 

For further information on accessing the free tax assistance program:
 
 

Winter Parking Restrictions

 

From December 1st to April 1st, the City's overnight parking ban is in place on snow routes. This allows snow plows and emergency vehicles to move easily along affected streets. Be mindful of posted no parking signs so you don't get ticketed and towed and so we can create less hazardous winter road conditions for our neighbors.

This is in effect daily from 3am-7am whether it snows or not, and you should also avoid parking in areas with posted Winter Parking Ban signs when snowfall is over 2 inches.

 

To see a map of streets impacted, click here. Visit the Streets and Sanitation website to learn more. You can also track the locations of snow plows here.
 

South Loop Farmers Market

Roosevelt Collection

Saturdays (1/11-3/29), 9am-1pm

 

The South Loop Farmers Market location at Roosevelt Collection is a vibrant place to enjoy this winter indoor market with friends & family. Support small businesses, engage with the community, and explore South Loop's premiere retail destination.

 

Learn more about the market here.
 

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 two beat meetings scheduled for next week, both on Wednesday, March 5th in the 1st District.
 
 
 

8 N. Morgan Construction Information

 

Construction is expected to start at the beginning of March. 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 reach out to Alex Najem here.
 

Bridge Closures

  • Lake St. Bridge: Closed March 2nd, 12am-5am
  • Wells St. Bridge: Closed March 9th, 12am-5:50am
 
 

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 3/3
    • Finish gas service Installation in Wabash between Van Buren and Ida B. Wells (9 am-4 pm M-F)
    • Finish gas main installation in Harrison between Michigan and Wabash (9 am-4 pm Monday)
    • Gas service Installation in Harrison between Michigan and Wabash (9 am-4 pm M-F)
    • Gas service Installation in Wabash between Ida B Wells and Harrison (9 am-4 pm M-F)
    • Begin gas main installation in Wabash between Harrison and Balbo (9 am-4 pm M-F)
  • Week of 3/10
    • Finish gas service Installation in Wabash between Ida B Wells and Harrison (9 am-4 pm M-F)
    • Continue gas main installation in Wabash between Harrison and Balbo (9 am-4 pm M-F)
 

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.
  • 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.
 

Work is underway for the Canal Street Viaduct demolition. 

Update: February 19, 2025

 

Reconstruction of the Canal Street Viaduct between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard continues.

 

The Canal Street east sidewalk will be fully closed between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard starting in late winter for approximately 2.5 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.  A nightly lane closure on westbound Adams Street should be expected. 

 

A concrete bridge deck pour is anticipated to occur in spring of 2025.  At this time, traffic will be detoured around a weekend roadway closure at the intersections of Canal Street/Adams Street and Canal Steet/Jackson Boulevard.   

 

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.
 
 

The City of Chicago and Cook County are hiring! View their respective job posting sites below:
 
 
 
 
 

Save the Date: Friends of Skinner West Gala

 

Join the inaugural Friends of Skinner West 2025 Gala on Friday, April 11 at WNDR Museum! This exciting event is open to the entire community—everyone is welcome to support a great cause. All proceeds directly support Friends of Skinner West (FOSW). 

✨ Bonus for Parents! POW Gym is offering discounted babysitting from 5:30–10 PM for children in Kindergarten and up, so the kids can enjoy a fun-filled evening while you do too! No excuses—make it a night to remember!

🎟️ Tickets coming soon!

Want to sponsor the event or donate to the auction? They'd love your support! Auction items can include vacation homes, event tickets, unique experiences, restaurant gift cards, and more. Reach out at friendsofskinnerwest2011@gmail.com.
 

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.
 

Polar Plunge Chicago

March 2, 2025

 

Make a splash and make a difference on Sunday, March 2 at North Avenue Beach!  Join in the fun at Polar Plunge Chicago benefiting Special Olympics Illinois presented by Special Children's Charities! Don't miss this incredible winter event that supports a great cause!

Celebrate the event's 25th Anniversary with thousands of fellow warm-hearted people. Help make a lasting difference for Chicago individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Reserve your spot at the beach and register here.
 
 

Volunteer at the Art Institute of Chicago! 

 

The Art Institute is now accepting applications for their Winter Training Cohort for the Volunteer Program and is looking to fill positions for Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The Volunteer Program activates the Ryan Learning Center, primarily supporting programs and spaces for young people and the adults connected to them. Click here for more information about how to apply.
 

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!