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The 34th Ward Office will be closed on Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day.
We hope you can join for the Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony on Saturday, May 23rd. |
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May City Council Updates Wednesday's City Council meeting was eventful, starting with commemorations of Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and ending with discussions of how we can root out extremism in the Chicago Police Department.
I also sponsored a resolution declaring May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month. At any given time, 6,000 people in the U.S. are living with ALS, and veterans are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed. I highlighted the work of I Am ALS, an organization founded in Chicago that has worked tirelessly to increase federal funding for research and treatment of ALS. Their advocacy is unlocking research that is not only advancing the fight against ALS, but could unlock clinical trials and eventually cures for other diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Learn more about this important organization and its work here.
We voted to approve David Glockner as Inspector General. I supported his nomination, but remain concerned about the precedent set by the Mayor's Office's refusal to cooperate in previous investigations. We need to work to restore trust in government, not erode it. I'll continue working with my colleagues to increase transparency across City government.
I also voted to approve the expansion of the Canal-Congress TIF to include the Greyhound Station, which is the first step for the city to acquire this site. Chicago needs an intercity bus station for the thousands who rely on it, including many from other states seeking reproductive health care. This area has faced significant safety challenges for years, though it seemed there was initially no clear plan from the administration to address the issues raised by neighbors at a public meeting. That's why I convened departments to create a plan addressing these concerns, and why we'll continue working to ensure this station is safe, fiscally responsible, and accountable to the community. To listen to my full remarks from Monday's Finance Committee meeting, click here.
The adaptive re-use of 30 N. LaSalle also moved forward through the approval of a landmark status that unlocks additional funding. This project will create 349 new apartments in the Loop, continuing the work to strengthen our downtown as a place not just to work, but also to live, eat, and visit.
I also supported the passage of the Rev. Jesse Jackson Fair Access to Democracy ordinance, which strengthens protections for poll workers and creates a group to continue exploring opportunities to protect Chicagoans' access to the ballot box.
I joined 27 of my colleagues to pass a measure that will ban Police Officers who have ties to extremist groups or participate in extremist activities. Police have an important role in keeping our communities safe, and rooting out extremism will help efforts to create and uphold the trust between the police and the communities they serve.
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Fulton River District Mural Meet the artists and share your stories! Friday, May 29, 4pm-6pm Northeast corner of Fulton, Milwaukee, and Clinton
Join Art Encounter to share your ideas for the mural being added to Fulton Street between Clinton and Canal. This will be an opportunity to meet with artists Jordan Nickel, Max Sansing, and Jeff Zimmermann and share more about your favorite parts of the neighborhood as they plan this new installation. Hope to see you there! |
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Memorial Day Parade & Wreath Laying Ceremony May 23, 2026
The Wreath Laying Ceremony begins at 11:00am at Daley Plaza.
PARADE MOVING TO DEARBORN STREET The parade will assemble on Wacker, from State to Franklin.
The parade starts at 12:00pm at Dearborn & Lake.
The parade travels southbound past viewing stage at Washington and continues south to Van Buren for disband.
Washington, from Clark to Dearborn, will be closed at 5:00am for erection of viewing stage, facing east.
All east/west streets that lead to Dearborn will begin street closures starting at approximately 10:30am. |
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Sueños Local Impacts This festival returns to Grant Park on May 23-24, 2026
This weekend, Sueños Music Festival will return to Grant Park. The two-day festival will take place from 11am - 10pm on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24. A full list of street and sidewalk closures is below.
Street Closures:
Please note that Columbus Drive, from Roosevelt to Jackson, is subject to rolling closures at CPD’s discretion.
Sidewalk Closures:
The tennis and pickle ball courts were open until 5pm on Thursday, May 21. The courts will re-open on Tuesday, May 26. The courts will not be accessible from the north via Balbo Street during the closures, so residents must access the courts via the 11th Street Pedestrian Bridge and Columbus Drive.
The Grant Bark Park will be open and accessible via the 11th Street Pedestrian Bridge until Friday, May 22 and will reopen Monday, May 25. During this time, there will be a temporary dog park available for use southeast of the Skate Park. For more information on this year’s festival, click here. |
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Mary Bartelme Park Playground Now Open!
Thanks to the outstanding work by the Park District and their contractors, the surface improvements at Mary Bartelme Park are complete and the playground is now open. Thank you for your patience as crews improved this popular playground. And a very special thank you to Donte, the supervisor of Mary Bartelme Park and Union Park, for overseeing the project! |
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Apply for Chicago Youth Works! Applications close May 29th.
Chicago Youth Works applications are open! This youth employment program provides summer opportunities for Chicagoans ages 14-24. Interested in learning more or applying? Click here. |
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Green City Market - West Loop Saturdays from 8am-1pm 900 W. Monroe
The West Loop Green City Market is now 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! |
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Please note - due to Memorial Day events, the 34th Ward team will not be at the market this weekend.
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. |
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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.
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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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 is one scheduled CAPS meeting in the 12th District.
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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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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. |
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Street Resurfacing Projects
Alley Improvement Projects
New Alley Reconstruction Project
Curb & Gutter Improvement Projects
Alley Apron Replacement Project
Sidewalk Replacement - Tripping Hazards
Bump Out Installation
CDOT Electrical Improvement Projects
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State/Lake Station Closure January - May 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 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. |
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Work is underway for the Canal Street Viaduct reconstruction.
Canal – Jackson to Van Buren
Canal – Van Buren to Harrison
Canal – Van Buren Intersection
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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With any ongoing questions about this project, please reach out to the CDOT project team. |
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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.
The contractor is currently framing and installing rebars required to pour the proposed concrete bridge deck within stage 2 limits. This week, the contractor will pour the concrete bridge deck within stage 2. 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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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. |
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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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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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