Childrens Book Drive; Final Days of Participatory Budgeting

Hi neighbors,

Earlier this week, I traveled to Springfield to meet with State lawmakers about Chicago’s fiscal challenges. Year after year, we struggle to balance our City budget without cutting key services or raising taxes and fees that fall disproportionately on working families. And rather than taking hard-but-necessary steps to stabilize our finances, City leaders frequently kick the can down the road. 

This approach prompted two credit rating downgrades several days ago, which will cost Chicago hundreds of millions of dollars in increased borrowing costs. In order to chart a path toward fiscal health, we must find new and more successful ways to collaborate with State leaders.

Today, I met with the heads of our City’s infrastructure departments to review capital improvements coming to our Ward later this year. These include:

• Street light improvements along Berenice between Ravenswood and Damen, Ravenswood between Berteau and Montrose, and Ashland between Lawrence and Argyle;
• Sewer main replacements around the intersection of Greenview and Cornelia, and along Lawrence between Leavitt and Oakley; and
• Completing the resurfacing of Ashland between Montrose and Foster.

Beginning on April 1st, Catholic Charities take over responsibility for providing food, health care, and enriching activities at the North Center Senior Satellite Center. Catholic Charities recently hosted several listening sessions about the most important services that the Satellite Center provides. These sessions were open only to nearby residents at the Martha Washington, St. Vincent De Paul, and Belle Plaine Commons. In the coming weeks, another listening session will take place that will be open to the public. My office will share information as soon as those details are finalized.

Earlier this week, our Green Council met with local environmental leaders about ways to reduce flooding near City parkways (the space between sidewalks and curbs). One such opportunity is using native and stormwater-resilient seed mixes as the default option for parkways, rather than turfgrass. The Council also discussed opportunities to support EcoFest, our annual sustainability festival in late May at Welles Park.

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider supporting a locally owned business by dining out during the annual North Side Restaurant Week.

Finally, this is the last weekend to cast your ballot for the 2026 Participatory Budget. Don’t forget to vote!

Yours in service,

Ald Matt Martin

Office Closure. City of Chicago offices will be closed on Monday, March 2nd in observance of Cashmir Pulaski Day. To submit a service request, please call 3-1-1 or email info@aldermanmartin.com.

After Hours: Pick Up LV2 Permits

Wednesday, March 18th

The Cubs season will begin in late March. If you live in the LV2 Zone and need to pick up extra guest permits, you can join us at AJ Hudson's (3801 N Ashland) for after hours pick up.

This will also be the first night of Womens March Madness. We'll have the games on the TV. This is the perfect opportunity to meet the Alderman, pick up your parking permits, and root for women's sports.

Please note: We don't have LV2 permits in the office yet. We expect to get them in mid-March.

RSVP

Last Chance: Vote on How to Spend Infrastructure Funds

Voting closes on Monday, March 2nd for this year's Participatory Budgeting process. You are eligible to participate in you:

• Live in the 47th Ward or go to school in the ward
• AND Are 14 years or older

Tell us how you want to spend $200K in infrastructure funds.

View the ballot

North Center Neighbors Annual Meeting

Monday, March 9th

Want to get more involved in your neighborhood? Meet other neighbors? Hear about exciting happenings in North Center? Join the North Center Neighbors for their annual meeting at Dovetail Brewery. Doors will open at 6:30 PM and the meeting will start at 7 PM.

Learn more

Ravenswood Neighbors Annual Meeting

Wednesday, March 4th

You're invited to join the Ravenswood Neighbors Association annual meeting at Platform 47! Connect with neighbors, meet the advisory board, and learn about how you can get involved. Leaders will share updates about upcoming events and programs in Ravenswood this year, and share information about how you can volunteer in the community. Small bites will be provided, and the first drink is free for RNA members.

Learn more

Free Tax Filing Assistance

Need help filing your taxes? Ladder Up provides free tax assistance services to Chicago residents and families who earn up to $40,000 annually.

They provide help at convenient locations across the city including at Truman College.

Learn more

Donate: Children's Book Drive

Until March 31st

In recognition of National Reading Month, our ward office is collecting new and gently used books appropriate for children ages 0-8. You can drop off books at our ward office (4243 N Lincoln Ave) during weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM until the end of March.

Veterans Assistance: Find Benefits

The Cook County Veterans Assistance Commission helps veterans access financial assistance, file VA claims, provides benefit guidance, and more. You can use the link below to connect with your local Veterans Assistance Team, or you can visit our ward office (4243 N Lincoln Ave) on Friday, March 13th from 10 AM to 2 PM to speak directly with a representative.

Learn more

North Center Food Drive

Accepted until Wednesday, March 4th

North Center Neighbors continue to accept donations for Common Pantry. This week, they're focused on whole wheat pasta and whole grains. They are also accepting personal care items like soap, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, diapers, and more. Learn more about which porches to drop off donations and view the full list of accepted items at the link below.

Learn more

4447 N Ashland - Approved

Ald. Martin has decided to support the zoning change for the construction of a 4-story, 8-unit condo building on what is currently a vacant lot. All of the condos will be family-sized: two will have 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, and the remaining six condos will have 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The building will also contain 8 parking spaces. 

The applicant has agreed to incorporate multiple sustainable features, including EV chargers, bike parking, and a partial green roof. In response to community feedback, the applicants redesigned their original proposal by increasing the number of units from 6 to 8, and by revising the building material to brick that matches the nearby buildings. 

This proposal is supported by the Ravenswood Neighbors Association.

3639 N Ashland - Approved

Ald. Martin has decided to support a zoning change that will allow the applicant to rehab a vacant 2-story building into a 4-story, 8-unit rental building. Six of the apartments will include 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. A seventh apartment will have 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, and the final apartment will have 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.

The applicant has agreed to incorporate multiple sustainable features, including bike parking, EV charging for the two parking spaces, and new trees in front of the building. 

This proposal is supported by the Southport Neighbors Association. The Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce has elected to remain neutral.

2103 W Eastwood - Approved

Ald. Martin has decided to support a zoning change that will bring the existing 3-flat and coach house into compliance with zoning law and allow for the construction of a modest addition to the coach house, which is currently vacant. The coach house addition will allow the owner-occupiers to move from one of the units in the 3-flat into their coach house and will therefore create an additional rental unit for the neighborhood. 

This proposal is supported by the Heart of Lincoln Square Neighbors Association.

Sew-In: Make Farmers Market Bags

Monday, March 9th

Organizing for Plastic Alternatives is once again sewing reusable fabric produce bags to hand out for free at farmers markets in our area. We would love your help to cut, sew, iron, thread drawstrings. No experience necessary! All materials provided. This event will be at the Waldorf School at Foster and Ashland.

Learn more

Submit: Park Improvement Ideas

The Chicago Park District invites Chicagoans to submit their ideas for park improvements. The Park District will review ideas and group them into categories that residents can vote on how to prioritize. The winning categories will guide how funds are invested in parks citywide and feasible projects in winning categories are implemented.

Submit

Sign Up: Earth Day Captains

Open Until March 1st

Earth Day Site Captains are the backbone of the citywide Earth Day cleanup operation, which saw 2,000 volunteers clean over 170 sites in 2025. Site Captains organize a cleanup crew on April 18, 2026 at their park, pick up supplies for the clean up, and promote the volunteer signup page.

Volunteers help the process of laying mulch around trees, installing fibar on playgrounds, and picking up garbage.

Learn more

This Weekend

• Gospel Brunch for Common Pantry, February 28th, Learn more
• Andersonville Health and Wellness Open House, February 28th, Learn more
• Scout Pancake Breakfast, March 1st, Learn more
• International Women's Night, March 2nd, Learn more
• Kiwani's Club St Patrick's Day Fundraiser, March 3rd, Learn more

Upcoming Weeks

• Ravenswood Elementary Auction Fundraiser, Starts March 2nd, Learn more
• Purim in Outerspace, March 3rd, Learn more
• Ravenswood Neighbors Annual Meeting, March 4th, Learn more
• 3Bs Concert at DANK Haus, March 8th, Learn more
• Women's History Month Tour at Koval, March 8th, Learn more
• Second Sunday Ravenswood Cleanups, March 8th, Learn more
• Northcenter Neighbors Annual Meeting, March 9th, Learn more
• Tutoring Chicago Annual Celebrity Spelling Bee, March 11th, Learn more
• Andersonville Restaurant Week, March 15th-29th, Learn more
• Cornelia Arts Building Open Studios, March 20th-21st, Learn more

Community Job Boards

Looking to work locally? Many of our local chambers of commerce offer job boards to help highlight openings at local businesses. Find more information at the following links:

• Andersonville
• Lakeview/Roscoe Village
• Lincoln Square/Ravenswood
• Northcenter
• Greater Ravenswood