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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 19, 2026

 

Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, an opportunity to reflect on his legacy of service and commitment to justice. If you're looking for a way to learn more about his life or take action to honor his work, there are many great upcoming events across Chicago. To learn how to get involved, check out this article from Block Club Chicago.

 

The 34th Ward office will be closed Monday, and will reopen on Tuesday.

For a list of upcoming City holidays, click here.
 

Serve as a Poll Worker for the March 17th, 2026 Primary!

 

The Chicago Board of Elections is seeking poll workers for the March 17th, 2026 Primary, including bilingual election judges who speak Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, and Tagalog. To learn more and apply, please visit the Board of Elections website.
 

Changes to SNAP Benefits Start February 1

Take action now to maintain your benefits!

 

The federal government passed a new law that makes significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Link in Illinois. 

 

Follow these steps before February 1 so you don't lose your food and grocery benefits:

  1. Update your information: Report any changes to your income or household to the Illinois Department of Human Services.
  2. Review work requirements: Find out if you need to be connected with a job, volunteer opportunity, or education & training program for at least 80 hours per month. If you qualify for an exemption, apply for one.
  3. Stay informed: Get the latest updates and share this information with family and friends.

 

Nobody should go hungry because of paperwork, and there is support available. The Greater Chicago Food Depository can help you manage your benefits or sign up for SNAP today.
 

Holiday Tree Recycling

January 3-17

 

There's still time to drop off your tree through the city's recycling program, including drop off sites at Grant Park and Sheridan Park that will be operating until January 17th.

 

Please remove lights, ornaments, and tinsel before recycling your holiday tree. To learn more about the program, click here.
 

Know Your Rights

 

Visit the City's "Protecting Chicago" website to connect with resources and information about their immigration rights in Chicago. Click the images below to access the site and these resources.
 

Overnight Parking Ban

December 1 - April 1, 3am-7am

 

The City's winter overnight parking ban is now in effect along 107 miles of main streets across Chicago, in addition to the Snow Route parking ban that applies to additional streets any time there is more than 2 inches of snowfall. 

 

Please be mindful of posted signage 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.

 

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! 
 
 

The Bears' second playoff game is Sunday!

Please note that there is a planned fireworks display at Soldier Field if they win. Go Bears!
 

Apply to Serve on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability

Applications are open January 7 - February 6

 

Applications to serve on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) are now open. The District Councils’ Nominating Committee invites community leaders interested in filling one of the three upcoming vacancies on the CCPSA. Complete information about eligibility can be found on the CCPSA website.

 

All qualified candidates are eligible to apply, and candidates that are young adults (18-24) and northside residents are highly encouraged to participate.
 

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 will be three CAPS meetings in the 1st and 12th Districts:

  • Beat 131: Wednesday, January 21st at 5pm
    • Awaken Church, 1829 S. State
  • Beat 1224: Wednesday, January 21st at 5:45pm
    • Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph
  • Beat 132 (Virtual): Thursday, January 22nd at 10am
    • Please email CAPS.001District@chicagopolice.org to join
 

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 Station Closure

Started January 5th, 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.

 

Lake St has been reduced to one lane at the site, and State St has been reduced to one lane in each direction between Wacker Dr and Randolph St. The work affects the CTA bus routes listed here. 

 

Trains operating along the Brown, Green, Orange and Pink lines and the Purple Line Express will no longer stop at the State/Lake elevated station for the duration of the construction. Loop trains will continue to operate, and riders can use the adjacent and fully accessible stations at Washington/Wabash and Clark/Lake. The Red Line station at Lake will remain open.

 

To learn more about construction at the State/Lake station and local impacts, visit the CTA's website.
 

Work is underway for the Canal Street Viaduct reconstruction.

 

Canal Street viaduct was reopened to northbound traffic on the west side lanes between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard on December 22, 2025.  The east side bus lanes will remain closed due to construction work occurring north of Adams Street.  Northbound traffic from Van Buren will be set up to allow a right turn only at Jackson.

Phase III began December 15th

 

Phase III of the Canal Viaduct Rehabilitation Project started on December 15th. This phase continues the viaduct rehabilitation on Canal above Union Station between Madison and Adams.

 

Two northbound lanes will remain open and pedestrian access will be maintained on the west sidewalk. For additional information, please visit the CDOT project site.

 

 If you have any questions, please email the project email address at CDOTCanalProjects@gmail.com.
 

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.

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. 

  • West Bridge House Demo: Daily Bridge House Demo on Weekly Day shifts continue as planned for the remainder of the year. Currently scheduled for regular weekday hours.
  • Lake Street Bridge Lifts:  A bridge lift took place 1/6/26 to move the crane barge to the south side of the bridge to continue bridge house demolition.
  • 150 N Riverside Upper Riverwalk Access:  The south side of the west bridge house demolition involves removing the sidewalk concrete (machinery level roof) and therefore pedestrian access from Lake Street to 150 N Riverside Plaza Upper Riverwalk closed beginning Monday 1/12/26. This closure is planned to stay in place until sidewalk restoration is complete which is expected later in Summer 2026.
  • Nightwork: The Contractor will be performing preparation for bridge repair

The CDOT project website will be updated with the most up-to-date information on construction, and you can learn more here.

With any ongoing questions about this project, please reach out to the CDOT project team.
 
 

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.
 

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 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 Spring 2026. Stage 1 traffic configuration was implemented at the end of April, and is on schedule to be completed by December.

 

Next week, the contractor will work on a nightly basis to continue the existing bridge demolition within stage 2 limits.

 

For road construction updates and general travel information please visit IDOT’s Getting Around Illinois website.
 
 

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

From the Polis to the Republic: Greek Political Thought and the Making of the American Democratic Imagination
January 22, 6:00 PM

 

Join the National Hellenic Museum for a thought-provoking lecture presented by Professor Elizabeth Kosmetatou of the University of Illinois Springfield.


This event is presented in partnership with the Consulate General of Greece in Chicago, the University of Illinois Springfield, and the Federation of Hellenic American Organizations of Illinois (ENOSIS).
 
 
 
 

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!