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The 34th Ward office will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th for Veterans Day. The office will reopen at 9am on November 12th.

Shred-A-Thon

November 8th, 9am-11am (or until truck is full)

World Language Academy Parking Lot, 1340 W. Harrison

Enter from Congress at Loomis

Join the 34th Ward team for our fall shredding and electronics recycling event! From 9am-11am (or until the truck is full), we will be in the World Language Academy parking lot, which is accessible from Congress at Loomis.

Please bring up to two boxes of documents to shred, and remove paper clips, binder clips, or staples. Electronics (excluding tube TVs and monitors) will also be accepted for recycling. 

Budget Updates

This week, conversations continued about the proposed 2026 budget. On Tuesday, I expressed concerns about the Mayor's office's hidden plan to spend $50 million to purchase the Greyhound station from a private equity firm while simultaneously proposing increased taxes and fees on working people. This bus station is vital, and I'm concerned whether the administration can get the deal done successfully, both for taxpayers and the travelers who rely on this station. I'll continue sharing updates on this as they are available.

On November 1st, many Chicagoans saw cuts to critical SNAP resources. Organizations like the Greater Chicago Food Depository are continuing their vital food distribution work across our City, including at Our Lady of the Holy Family. They opened up additional distribution sites on Saturdays in November (click here for hours):

• Grace and Peace, 1856 N LeClaire Ave, Chicago

• Harmony Community Cares, 1908 S Millard Ave, Chicago

• St. Sabina, 1210 W 78th Place, Chicago

• Nourishing Hope - Ravenswood, 5151 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago

• Sankofa Food Market, 901 E 95th Street, Chicago

• Free-N-Deed Market, 14200 S Martin Luther King Dr, Dolton

Please click here for a full list of the Greater Chicago Food Depository's locations near you.

If you're interested in volunteering to support their mission, please click here.

Canal Street Detour

Starting last Monday, November 3, a CDOT project began on Canal Street (from Lake to Kinzie).  Closures started on Canal Street with local access provided via Fulton Street. This closure will be in place for approximately 5 weeks, weather permitting. 

Additional signage was installed to close eastbound Lake Street at Clinton Street and direct traffic to the approved eastbound detour via Washington Street.

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. 

On Saturday, the Mary Bartelme Park Advisory Council invites Veterans to stop by their table from 9am-11am for a complimentary voucher for a coffee beverage from Kikwetu Kenya Coffee Company.

South Loop Farmers Market

• Printers Row: 632 S. Dearborn
  • Saturdays, May 24 - November 1, (No Market Sept. 6)
  • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Veterans Day Luncheon

November 10th, 12:30pm-2pm

Renaissance Court Senior Center, 78 E Washington St

Please join us at our Veterans Day Luncheon at Renaissance Court Senior Center as we honor the service and sacrifice of our nation's heroes. The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County also will be on-site to assist veterans apply for a range of VA benefits. Call 312-744-4550 to register.

Winter Coat Drive

November 15th, 11am-1pm

Teamster City Auditorium, 1634 W. Van Buren

With cold weather approaching, we are gearing up for our annual Winter Coat Drive!  Coats and Thanksgiving turkeys will be available for families in need! If you would like to donate a new or gently used coat, there is a drop box located at the 12th District Police Station on 1412 S Blue Island.

Interested in volunteering? Please sign up here!

Know Your Rights

The City has created a "Protecting Chicago" website to connect neighbors with resources and information about their immigration rights in Chicago. Please click below to be connected with the City's new "Protecting Chicago" site.

• Request a 'Know Your Rights' training or find one happening soon
• Connect with ICIRR's Family Support Network
• Sign up for text alerts for verified nearby ICE sightings
• Find an upcoming event from the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights

CDOT Electric Vehicle Survey

The Chicago Department of Transportation is asking residents to share their feedback on their Electric Vehicle and Mobility Infrastructure initiative through a short community survey. Click below to take the share your thoughts.

2025 Street Sweeping Schedule

Street sweeping is underway! 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. As leaves fall, please do not sweep them into the street. That is not only a violation of City Ordinance, but can lead to flooding and icy conditions during the winter months. 

Call 311 to request yard waste pick up, or use leaves as mulch in your yard. 

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!

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.

27th Ward - Directional Traffic Changes 

Directional traffic changes were recently implemented as traffic calming measures on 3 streets north of the 34th Ward:

• Green Street - One Way going south from Lake to Washington
• May Street - One Way going north from Washington to Lake
• Racine Ave - One Way going south from Lake to Washington

Lake Street Bascule Bridge Rehabilitation

Closure started 9am 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. 

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.

Traffic Impacts

• Tuesday, November 11th 
  • To allow for ComEd work, the alley bounded by Lake, Randolph, Clinton, and Jefferson will be closed from 7am-3:30pm

State / Lake CTA Station Upgrade

CDOT and CTA continue work to transform the 108-year-old CTA train station at State & Lake. The work will affect the CTA bus routes listed here. The north sidewalk across the bridge will close 9/15. One westbound lane on Lake St will close on 9/15, as well. In late September, early morning site survey will begin on the roadway and sidewalk, which will require the bridge to be lifted from 10pm-5am each day. The dates for these lifts are not yet set--stay tuned for future updates.

The CTA train station will remain open, and access to surrounding businesses will be maintained throughout construction. The new station is expected to be finished in 2029.

Halsted Street & Chicago Avenue Bridge Project

The first month of the Halsted St / Chicago Ave project is complete. 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.

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 Improvement Projects

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

Street Resurfacing Projects

• Rescheduled for 2026: S. Carpenter Street, from Taylor to Arthington
• Completed: Wabash from Wacker to Balbo
• Complete: N. Garland Ct., from W. Randolph to W. Washington
• Complete: N. Holden Ct., from W. Washington to dead end
• 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

Alley Improvement Projects

• Rescheduled for 2026: North/south alley bounded by S. Wabash, S. State, E. Jackson, E. Adams
• Rescheduled for 2026: East/west alley bounded by W. Lexington St., W. Flournoy St., S. Ada St., S. Lytle St.
• On hold: North/south alley bounded by W. Taylor St., W. Arthington St., S. Carpenter St., S. Aberdeen St.
• Completed: North/south alley bounded by S. Wabash, S. Michigan, E. Adams, E. Jackson
• 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

Sidewalk Improvements

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

Residential Bump Out Installations

• Completed: W. Monroe & S. Green – detached bump outs - (1) at each corner
• Completed: S. Jefferson & W. Congress – (2) curb extensions 

• Completed: W. Van Buren & S. Aberdeen – (1) curb extension to be installed on the N/W corner
• Completed: S. Jefferson & W. Harrison – (2) curb extensions to be installed on the N/W & N/E corners

Residential Lighting Improvement Projects

• Completed: 800 & 900 block of S. Carpenter
• Completed: 800 & 900 block of S. Miller
• Completed: 1000 block of W. Arthington
• Completed: 1000 block of W. Cabrini

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: September 25, 2025

The contractor will be pouring the bridge sidewalk for the viaduct above Union Station this weekend, and during that time Canal between Jackson and Van Buren will be closed. The closure will begin at 8:00PM Friday 9/26 and end at 5:00AM Monday 9/29. This will be the same type of closure that occurred earlier in September.

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 completed in February 2026. 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:

• City of Chicago
• Cook County

Step Out Into Greektown Tour
November 15th, 2pm

The National Hellenic Museum, located in the heart of Chicago’s Greektown, captures the story
of the Greek diaspora to the United States, but this tour emphasizes the special history of Greeks in Chicago. From iconic architecture to community landmarks, this tour offers a unique glimpse into the city's vibrant Greek American legacy and includes both a guided tour of our permanent exhibit “Reaching for the American Dream: The Greek Story in America” and a glimpse at key sites in the area around the Museum.

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.

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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