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The 34th Ward office will be closed on Friday, April 18th, and will reopen on Monday, April 21st.
 

Public Safety Update

 

On Saturday evening, there was a tragic shooting at the UIC-Halsted Blue Line station that led to the death of John Flemister, who has touched the lives of many neighbors in the West Loop. My thoughts and condolences go out to his loved ones and those who knew him at this difficult time. 

 

My office is in close contact with the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Transit Authority and will be working together to determine what additional security measures must be implemented to ensure that riders and workers are safe. Public safety for everyone – whether you live, work in, or visit our community – is my top priority. 

 

At this time, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office has charged the offender, and the case is pending. I will share updates as they are available.

 

As part of ongoing conversations about public safety in our community, I would like to invite you to join my team for two upcoming CAPS meetings with local police. There are two meetings scheduled for next week, both taking place on Wednesday, April 23rd. To view a map of CAPS beat boundaries, click here.

  • Beat 1231
    • 6pm, St. Francis of Assisi, 813 W. Roosevelt Rd.
  • Beat 1232
    • 7pm, St. Francis of Assisi, 813 W. Roosevelt Rd.
 

City Council Updates

  • January 6th Hiring Ban
    • On Wednesday, City Council approved a measure that disqualifies those who participated in the insurrection attempt on January 6th from city service.  Those who tried to overthrow the government and assaulted police officers should not be eligible to serve in government, and I'm proud to have co-sponsored this ordinance. 
  • LaSalle Project Approval
    • Council also approved TIF funding for the office-to-residential conversions of 111 W. Monroe and 208 S. LaSalle. These projects will bring much-needed affordable housing downtown and are essential steps toward revitalizing the Loop.
 

Bunny Events

Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen

April 18th and 19th

 

I hope to see many neighbors at the egg-celent events at Sheridan Park this weekend for games, crafts, and more family-friendly fun.

 

My team will be handing out candy at the Eggstravaganza starting at 10am on Saturday. Look forward to seeing you there!
 
 

2025 Street Sweeping Schedule

 

Street sweeping started April 1st, and the schedule is live! Find a map and scheduled dates here. 
 
 

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. 
 
 

West Loop Historic Plaques Project

 

Local historian Connie Fairbanks is looking to connect with buildings on the National Register of Historic Places/Illinois Landmarks to install identifying plaques. If you have a connection to these locations, please contact Connie 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!
 
 

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.
 
 
 
 
 

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.
 
 

34th Ward Infrastructure Updates

  • Street Resurfacing
    • In progress: S. Sangamon from Monroe to Adams
    • TBA (concrete work ending): S. Carpenter from Arthington to Taylor
    • In progress: Flournoy from Loomis to Laflin

  • Detached Bump-Outs

    • Completed: Flournoy and Laflin ahead of street resurfacing. 

    • In progress: Laflin and Monroe

  • Alley Improvements (start dates weather permitting)

    • Alley bounded by Adams, Jackson, Wabash to State, tentative start date TBA

    • In progress: Alley bounded by Van Buren, Jackson, Sangamon to Peoria

2025 Sidewalk Improvement Repair Projects

  • Completed: ADA tripping hazard at 1 S. Clinton
  • Completed: Tripping hazards at 1000 W. Adams
  • In progress: ADA tripping hazard at 900 W. Adams
  • In progress: Tripping hazards at 1069-73 W. Vernon Park
  • In progress: Tripping hazards at 940 W. Madison
  • In progress: Tripping hazards at 108-46 S. Peoria (Mary Bartelme Park)

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.
 

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.
 

Ashland/I-290 Expressway Viaduct Work

 

The bridge carrying Ashland Ave over I-290 expressway is currently in a Pre-Stage traffic configuration, with 2 lanes of traffic for southbound Ashland Ave, and 1 lane of traffic for northbound Ashland Ave.

 

The contractor is working on the removal of the existing medians located within the project limits to replace them with temporary pavements that will be utilized as crossovers during Stage 1 and Stage 2 construction operations. All stages of this project are scheduled to be completed by 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.
 

8 N. Morgan Construction Information

 

Construction is expected to start soon. 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.
 

Traffic Closures

  • Helicopter Lift: 17 N. State
    • At 8am, there will be a helicopter lift at State and Washington to install an HVAC unit at 17 N. State. The adjacent blocks of Washington from Dearborn to Wabash and State from Randolph to Madison will be closed during the lift.
 

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 4/21

  • Complete final gas service installation and cutoff in Wabash between Harrison and Balbo (9 am-4 pm M-W)
  • Continue gas main retirement work in Wabash at 8th (9 am- 4 pm M-F)
  • Continue gas main retirement excavations in Wabash between Monroe and Balbo (9 am-4 pm M-F)
  • Prepare gas main for retirement in Wabash between Monroe and Balbo (9 am-4 pm M-F)
  • Backfill retirement opening in Wabash south of Balbo and on 11th between Michigan and Wabash (9 am-4 pm M-F)

Week of 4/28

  • Continue gas main retirement excavations in Wabash between Monroe and Balbo (9 am-4 pm M-F)
  • Finish gas main retirement work in Wabash at 8th (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. 

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


This week, the contractor will be installing a mid-block crossing as our stage 1 for the Van Buren intersection begins. Vehicular traffic will continue to be a single lane, while the pedestrian traffic for the north-south crossing on the east half of the Van Buren and Canal intersection will be moved east on Van Buren.


The Canal Street east sidewalk will be fully closed between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard starting as early as Friday, April 11th, 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:
 
 
 

Airport Expo and Job Fair

UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt

May 1, 2025

 

Find contracting and employment opportunities at O’Hare and Midway airports at the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Airport Expo and Job Fair, free for attendees on Thursday, May 1 at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road.

Business representatives will recruit candidates to fill cargo, concessions, construction, security and other positions at all experience levels — with some hiring on the spot! Small business owners will learn how to obtain city certification and enter the airport business.
Access the UIC Forum via CTA Blue Line (UIC-Halsted), #12 Roosevelt bus, or #8 Halsted bus.
 
 

Obama Presidential Center Opportunities
 
 
 

West Central Association Gala

 

Step into a night of Magic & Moonlight as we celebrate the 13 vibrant communities of the West Central Association! Enjoy delicious food, enchanting cocktails, and mesmerizing magician activations, with illusions and surprise performances at every turn. Click here for more information.
 

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.
 

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!