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Mexican Independence Day Gatherings

 

In anticipation of the Mexican Independence Day weekend festivities, the Chicago Police Department will be implementing traffic restrictions throughout the Central Business District.  These restrictions will be in place intermittently from Friday, September 12th through Tuesday, September 16th.

 

Local access points will be established at the following locations for evening and overnight access:

  • E. 18th St. and S. Indiana Ave
  • E. 18th St. and S. Michigan Ave.
  • W. 18th St. and S. State St.
  • N. Halsted St. and W. Chicago Ave.
  • N. Halsted St. and W. Division St.
  • N. Halsted St. and W. Madison St.
  • N. Halsted St. and W. Washington Blvd.
  • S. Halsted St. and W. Jackson Blvd.
  • W. Division St. and N. LaSalle Dr.
  • W. Roosevelt Rd. and S. Canal St.
  • W. Roosevelt Rd. and S. DesPlaines St.
  • W. Taylor St. and S. DesPlaines St.

The Illinois State Police may also close interstate exits as needed overnight. 

Residents and employees traveling in and out of the Loop over the weekend must present proof of address within the Central Business District to gain entry.


Please be advised that the Chicago Police Department reserves the right to close any traffic control point if pedestrians are present in the street or as public safety concerns arise.


My team and I have been working closely with the Chicago Police Department to address safety concerns from those who live and work in the Loop, and changes have been implemented to ensure a more streamlined access process. For more information on public safety and how to sign up for alerts, please visit the OEMC website.
 

State of the West Loop

September 17th, 6pm

UIC Student Center, 750 S. Halsted

Cardinal Room 

 

Please join Neighbors of West Loop for their annual State of the West Loop, an opportunity to speak with local leaders about what we've been working on and your ideas for our community. Please register in advance at the link below, and I hope to see you there!
 
Community Meeting for Proposed Dispensary at 1133 W. Van Buren
September 16th, 6pm
1133 W. Van Buren Street, 1st Floor
 
Please join the property owners for a meeting about a social equity adult-use cannabis dispensary, The Bridge, proposed for 1133 W. Van Buren Street. This meeting is an opportunity to learn about the proposed business and share feedback.

The owner is seeking an amendment to the planned development to extend the permitted uses to include a retail cannabis dispensary. This would not otherwise change density standards within the existing planned development. With any questions, please contact the applicant’s attorney, Sara Barnes at s.barnes@gozdel.com.
 
 

Green City Market

900 W. Monroe

Saturdays 8am-1pm, starting May 3

 

This year, the market has moved to the 900 block of W. Monroe, between Peoria and Sangamon. 

My team looks forward to meeting with neighbors from 9am-11am!

Daley Plaza Farmers Market

  • 50 W. Washington
  • Thursdays, May 22 - October 23 (No market June 19)
  • 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

South Loop Farmers Market

  • Night Market: 150 W. Roosevelt
    • Thursdays, June 12 - September 25
    • The 34th Ward team will be at the market on September 25th!
    • 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Printers Row: 632 S. Dearborn
    • Saturdays, May 24 - November 1, (No Market Sept. 6)
    • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
 

Know Your Rights

 

The City's Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights has released a 'Know Your Rights' guide with important immigration resources. Please click below for the English and Spanish guides, and click here for more information from the City's website.
 

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. 
 
 
 
 

West Loop Historic Plaques Project

 

The West Loop is steeped in history. In fact, we have 19 historical designations, but only two plaques: Old St. Pat’s- National Register of Historic Places plaque and The Jackson Boulevard Historic District- Chicago Landmark plaque. To see the rest of the designations, please visit Connie Fairbanks' website.

She is also working on historical plaques for non-landmarked buildings. The 850 West Adams Board already installed a plaque on their building that was built by Alfred S. Alschuler in 1910. Only a Condo Board approval and payment is needed for these types of plaques.

 

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! 
 

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 will be one beat meeting next week. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 17th in the 1st District.
 
 

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.
 
 

State / Lake CTA Station Upgrade

 

CDOT and CTA have begun work to transform the 108-year-old CTA train station at State and Lake. Partial lane closures on Lake St (from Dearborn to Wabash) began this month, and partial lane closures on State St (from Lake to Randolph) began August 25. Contractors will be drilling holes in the street to verify the position of existing utility infrastructure. No demolition will occur during this initial scoping work.

 

The CTA station will remain open, and access to surrounding businesses will be maintained throughout construction. This work will be in operation for several months. Working hours will be 7am-4pm. The new station is expected to be finished in 2029.
 

Halsted Street & Chicago Avenue Bridge Project

 

CDOT recently released an update for the upcoming project on Halsted St and the Chicago Ave river bridge. During construction, Halsted St from Ancona St to Chicago Ave will be closed. The Chicago Ave bridge will be replaced, and contractors will install a new riverwalk connection, protected bike lanes, CTA bus lanes, street lighting, and new traffic signals.

 

Starting August 4, Chicago Ave traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction from Peoria St to Kingsbury St, and Halsted St will be closed in both directions. Work will begin at 7am and conclude at 3:30pm on weekdays, with the possibility for work on Saturdays during the same hours.

 

The proposed traffic configuration will remain in place until October 2025. The following detours will be implemented: northbound detour via Grand Ave, Orleans St, and Division St to continue on Halsted St. Southbound detour via Division St, LaSalle Dr, and Grand Ave to continue on Halsted St.
 

Speed Camera Installations

 

Automated speed cameras are planned for installation at the following locations:

  • on Racine, between Harrison and Lexington
  • INSTALLED - on Desplaines, between Jackson and Monroe
  • on Jefferson, between Jackson and Monroe
  • INSTALLED - on Michigan, between Monroe and Van Buren
    • 30-day warning period began on 8/1, with citations starting 9/15

These locations were chosen because of their proximities to parks and schools. Installation dates will be shared as they are available.
 

Bridge Repairs
 

2025 Menu Street Resurfacing Projects

 

The following project start dates are subject to change, pending weather and equipment considerations.

 

Street Resurfacing Projects

  • Wabash from Wacker to Balbo
    • Cement work continues, including ADA improvements to the corners and replacement where needed
    • Wabash, from Wacker to Randolph, will be milled as early as Friday, September 5th – expect traffic delays
  • N. Garland Ct., from W. Randolph to W. Washington
    • Estimated start date is Tuesday, September 9th
  • N. Holden Ct., from W. Washington to dead end
    • Estimated start date the week of September 15th
  • Completed: N. Green Street, from Madison to Washington
  • Completed: N. Peoria Street, from Madison to Washington
  • Completed: S. Ada Street, from Lexington to Flournoy
  • Completed: W. Polk Street, from Morgan to Racine
    • Punchlist items to follow
  • On hold: S. Carpenter Street, from Taylor to Arthington

Alley Improvement Projects

  • North/south alley bounded by S. Wabash, S. State, E. Jackson, E. Adams
    • Scheduled to begin the week of September 15th
  • North/south alley bounded by S. Wabash, S. Michigan, E. Adams, E. Jackson
    • Scheduled to begin the week of September 15th
  • Completed: East/west alley bounded by S. Racine, S. Aberdeen, W. Adams St., W. Monroe St.
  • Completed: North/south alley bounded by W. Flournoy, W. Harrison, S. Racine, W. Westgate
  • On hold: North/south alley bounded by W. Taylor St., W. Arthington St., S. Carpenter St., S. Aberdeen St.
  • East/west alley bounded by W. Lexington St., W. Flournoy St., S. Ada St., S. Lytle St.
    • Start date TBA

Sidewalk Improvements

  • In progress: tripping hazards at 802 and 837 S. Carpenter

 

Residential Bump Out Installations

  • W. Monroe & S. Green – detached bump outs - (1) at each corner
    • Starting on or around September 8th
  • W. Van Buren & S. Aberdeen – (1) curb extension to be installed on the N/W corner
    • Starting on or around September 3rd
  • S. Jefferson & W. Congress – (2) curb extensions to be installed on the S/W & S/E corners
    • Starting on or around September 8th
  • S. Jefferson & W. Harrison – (2) curb extensions to be installed on the N/W & N/E corners
    • Starting on or around September 8th

Residential Lighting Improvement Projects

  • 800 & 900 block of S. Carpenter – in progress
  • 800 & 900 block of S. Miller – in progress
  • 1000 block of W. Arthington – in progress
  • 1000 block of W. Cabrini – in progress

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.
 

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. Stage 1 traffic configuration was implemented at the end of April 2025, and is on schedule to be completed by November.

 

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.
 

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 reconstruction.

Update: July 23, 2025
  
Reconstruction of the Canal Street Viaduct between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard continues. The concrete bridge deck on Canal Street has been poured and the east sidewalk is now open.
 
The remaining work includes west sidewalk construction, drainage, traffic signals, lighting, pavement marking, street signs and Union Station restoration.   
 
The project is anticipated to be complete by the end of the year 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:
 
 
 
 

National Hellenic Museum Events

333 S. Halsted Street 

 

Alpha to Omega - September 12th at 11am

  • Students will be introduced to the Greek alphabet, learn the symbolic meaning of select letters and how words in Greek still have a place in many of our names today. Students will then write their names using Greek characters and transform them into personalized pieces of art, decorating their names with traditional Greek motifs and designs.

Saturday Story Time - September 13th at 11am

  • This Saturday Family Story Time continues our Olympian god series where each month families and children, ages 2-14, can listen to a story and make a craft about one of the 12 Olympian gods. This month we will talk about, Ares the god of war and the spirit of battle.

Online Book Club - September 18th at 7pm

  • Children ages 10-14 are invited to join an online book club journey through the world of Percy Jackson, where ancient Greek mythology comes alive in modern adventures. This week the group will discuss Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titans Curse and dive deep into Rick Riordan's beloved story, exploring the gods, heroes, and legendary creatures alongside fellow mythology enthusiasts. 
 

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!