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The 2nd Ward Newsletter for June 8, 2026
In This Edition:
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2nd Ward Website
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2nd Ward Twitter
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2nd Ward YouTube
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In Remembrance of Riley O'Neil
I am very sad to hear of the passing of Riley O'Neil who worked as a Complete Streets planner and project manager for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT). Mr. O'Neil was struck by a semi truck while cycling in the 3200 block of S Halsted St last Friday afternoon. He was rushed to Stroger Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. I am very grateful for his dedication to improving the lives of so many Chicagoans and the City of Chicago.
Photo Credit: Chicago Department of Transportation
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Mag Mile Public Art Installations
Last week, I had the pleasure of joining the Magnificent Mile Association as they debuted a new public art installation titled Moments of Stillness. Artist Carole Feuerman presented 10 large-scale hyper-realistic swimming sculptures on the Mag Mile stretching from the Wrigley Building to Oak St.
The installation runs through November 2026, after which the sculptures will travel to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Click here to learn more.
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The 1901 Project Groundbreaking Ceremony
Last Wednesday, I was excited to participate in the ground breaking ceremony of the 1901 Project at the United Center. The 1901 Project is a long-term, multi-phased development inspired by Chicago’s motto “Urbs in Horto” (City in a Garden). The vision features 25 acres of parks and open space and is expected to transform the near west side.
Photo credit: The 1901 Project
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Wells Street Art Festival: June 13-14
 The 51st annual Wells Street Art Festival will take place on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14. Enjoy works of over 127 talented artists, delicious festival food, and great live music. The Art Festival extends for six blocks on Wells Street, between North Avenue and Division Street. Intersecting streets at Scott, Goethe, Evergreen and Schiiler are also considered part of the festival.
Volunteers needed for the Beer Tent
Organizers are looking for volunteers to help ensure that this exciting event runs smoothly. If you are interested in helping out on either of the days, please reach out to Marcy Huttas at mhuttas@oldtownchicago.org.
Click here for more information about the Wells Street Art Festival.
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Parking Restrictions in Old Town Ahead of Wells Street Art Festival
Old Town will see a number of temporary parking restrictions between Friday, June 12, and Monday, June 15, around the Wells Street Art Festival. You may review the specific closures and times below:
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Get Behind the Vest Fundraiser: Wednesday, June 24
Join me and Committeeman Egan for a special fundraiser supporting Get Behind the Vest, hosted by Mario Stefanini. The event will be held Wednesday, June 24, from 4:30 - 6:30 pm at Mario's Table (located at 21 W Goethe St).
This is the 5th Annual Get Behind the Vest event we have hosted in the 2nd Ward. Since 2022, we have raised over $250,000 (approximately 500 life saving vests for our men and women in the department).
A vest is not bulletproof forever. It wears out. It breaks down. It needs to be replaced every 5 years. At $500 or more per vest, in addition to other equipment and uniform expenses, the costs can quickly add up. That is why we need your help. Your donation ensures that every officer out there protecting you is protected.
Click here for tickets.
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Street Sweeping
The Department of Streets and Sanitation continues to operate its regular street sweeping schedule. Residents can view street sweepers in real time using the Sweeper Tracker online tool.
"Sweep Around Us" — a third-party email reminder service used for street sweeping alerts — has rebranded as "We The Sweeple." Their website is now live. Click here for more information.
Click here to find the Street Sweeping section of my website. There is an interactive map of all seven street sweeping sections included, as well as the full schedule of 2026 sweeping dates. Residents are encouraged to mark their calendars for respective sweeping dates in the event that they have visitors or are out of town.
Scheduled for cleaning on Tuesday, June 9: Section 4 (red), Section 5 (yellow), Section 7 (brown)
Scheduled for cleaning on Wednesday, June 10: Section 4 (red), Section 5 (yellow), Section 7 (brown)
Scheduled for cleaning on Thursday, June 11: Section 1 (olive)
Scheduled for cleaning on Friday, June 12: Section 1 (olive)
Scheduled for cleaning on Monday, June 15: Section 2 (blue)
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18th District CompStat Report
Computer Statistics report (CompStat) is a weekly report of incidents that have occurred in the respective police district. Each district compiles a statistical summary of the week's crime complaints, arrests, and data analysis.
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Recent Carjacking Arrests:
- 05 June 26 - Offenders Charged with Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking of 63-Year-Old Male
Community Alerts:
- 06 June 26 - Burglaries and Theft
Additional High-Profile Arrests:
- 06 June 26 - Offender Charged with Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of an 8-Year-Old Male and Unlawful Restraint of an 11-Year-Old Male
- 05 June 26 - Offender Charged with Multiple Felony Counts, Including Armed Robbery & Aggravated Battery
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Updated 2026 Chicago Police CAPS Meeting Schedule
The Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Beat community meetings are a key part of the Chicago Police Department's strategy of partnerships and problem-solving. These meetings are held in person, with the option to participate remotely, and are an excellent way to communicate with the officers who patrol your beat and to engage with and meet your neighbors.
The entirety of the 2nd Ward falls inside the 18th District. Click here to find which beat you reside in. You may also call 312-742-5778 or email CAPS.018District@chicagopolice.org for more information about the 18th District CAPS office.
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General 2nd Ward Infrastructure Updates
While out and about in our neighborhoods, you will certainly see that road construction season is well underway. Crews are busy resurfacing streets and alleys, building pedestrian safety improvements, and replacing street lighting. Here are some highlights of ongoing or upcoming infrastructure improvements in our ward. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. My office always stands ready to answer questions about these or any other infrastructure projects in our ward and to receive your suggestions for future consideration.
- Inner Lake Shore Drive resurfacing from Michigan to Ohio
- Scheduled for later this Summer or Fall
- Will include some pedestrian safety improvements for crossing perpendicular east-west streets
- Additional details will be shared by USPS letter with nearby residents once known
- Division St streetscape from State to Dearborn
- New, wider sidewalks with decorative pavers and space for outdoor dining
- Addition of landscaped planters and street furniture
- New lighting
- Southport/Belden intersection reconstruction
- Intersection will be reconstructed over the summer to raise it
- Raised intersections calm traffic and increase pedestrian safety
- Curb bump-outs will also be added to shorten pedestrian crosswalks
- A comparable nearby intersection is Belden and Sheffield
- Aesthetic improvements are included
- Additional details will be shared by USPS letter with nearby residents
- Southport Ave resurfacing from Webster to Fullerton
- Will be completed in conjunction with the Southport and Belden intersection reconstruction
- LaSalle/Delaware installation of rapid flashing beacons for pedestrian crosswalk
- Requested and funded in 2024
- My office continues to push the Chicago Department of Transportation for installation as soon as possible
- LaSalle/Burton installation of rapid flashing beacons for pedestrian crosswalk
- Requested and funded in 2024
- My office continues to push the Chicago Department of Transportation for installation as soon as possible
- Chestnut St complete lighting replacement from Mies van der Rohe to Lake Shore Drive
- Wells St replacement of lighting fixtures on existing poles from Division to North Ave
- Wabash Ave resurfacing from Huron to Superior
- State Pkwy resurfacing from Schiller to Burton
- Huron St resurfacing from St. Clair to Fairbanks
- McClurg Ct resurfacing from Ohio to Ontario
- State Pkwy resurfacing from Scott to Schiller
- Pending spot curb replacement on 1300 block
- Additional details will be shared by USPS letter with nearby residents
- Delaware Pl resurfacing from Clark to LaSalle
- Magnolia Ave resurfacing from Webster to Belden
- Blackhawk St resurfacing from Sedgwick to Larrabee
- Magnolia/Belden detached pedestrian bump outs
- Dickens Avenue resurfacing from Clifton to Racine
- Requested early in 2026 but on hold while fiber optics (Lumen) project is completed
- If still necessary after fiber optics restoration, will be done in 2027
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Weekend Ramp Closures at Ohio and Ontario Feeder Ramps: June 12
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will be performing pavement patching repairs that require full weekend closures, alternating between the Ohio St and Ontario St ramps. Closures are expected to begin at 10:00 pm on Friday and continue through 5:00 am on Monday.
The scheduled closure weekends are:
- June 12
- June 26
- July 17
- July 24 (backup weekend)
IDOT will share additional details next week, including specifics on traffic impacts and detour routes. We will provide updates as they become available.
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Construction Activity Notice: Red Line Tracks Closed For Repair on Weekends Until Monday, June 22
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) continues its weekend track renewal of the Red Line subway through Monday, June 22. From 9:00 pm Friday through 5:00 am Monday of each weekend, Red Line trains will operate on elevated tracks between Fullerton and Cermak-Chinatown, stopping at Loop stations and bypassing the subway stations.
Normal service is expected on weekdays. Go to transitchicago.com for real-time updates during the weekend.
Click here for more information.
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Follow Me on Social Media to Receive Pertinent Updates
 While the weekly Email Newsletter is the best way to stay up-to-date with communications from my office, you may also get updates about grand openings, community alerts, and other news from my official office accounts on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X.
Please follow us at the handles below:
Instagram - @aldhopkins
Facebook - @aldermanhopkins
X - @aldhopkins
TikTok - @alderman2ndward
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SOAR Farmers Market 12th Anniversary Celebration: Tuesday, June 16
The Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) will be having its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, June 16, celebrating its 12th year in operation!
Stop by for great local produce, baked goods, and plants, and enjoy complimentary Eli’s cheesecake samples and remarks from local stakeholders.
I was happy to join the Mounted Patrol Unit in greeting visitors to the SOAR Farmers Market on Tuesday, May 26. As a reminder, please stop by our mobile ward office to say hello each Tuesday!
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Misericordia Heart of Mercy at the SOAR Farmers Market Every Tuesday
 I am pleased to announce Misericordia as a new vendor at the SOAR market on Tuesdays in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E Chicago Ave) from 7:00 am - 1:00 pm. Misericordia has become a national model for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing services designed to meet each persons changing needs, and maximize independence.
Stop by and support this incredible organization at the market.
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Summer Story Time at the Chicago Public Library: Thursday, June 11
 The Near North Library, located at 310 W Division St, is hosting a Summer Story Time for young children and their families on Thursday, June 11, from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. This interactive program features read-aloud books, songs, and movement activities. Parents will also be given tips for youth literacy skill development.
This event is open to children aged 18 months to 5 years old. Registration is required. Click here for more information.
Near North has several exciting events planned for this summer. Click here to view their summer calendar.
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St. Chrysostom's Summer Carillon Festival: June 14 and 21
 Join St. Chrysostom’s Church for its Summer Carillon Festival on Sundays, June 14, and 21, at 2:00 pm in the courtyard, located at 1424 N Dearborn Parkway. Enjoy national and international guest carillonists performing on the splendid 48-bell Gillett & Johnston – Royal Eijsbouts Carillon
The concerts are free of charge. There will be complimentary lemonade and cookies for everyone. If you have any questions, contact St. Chrysostom's at 312-944-1083.
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Skate Into Summer at Lake Shore Park: Friday, June 12
Skate into Summer at Lake Shore Park (808 N Lake Shore Drive) on Friday, June 12, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Enjoy a free, all-ages roller skate party to kick off Summer.
Please note: There are a limited number of skates to borrow on-site. If you have any questions, contact Lake Shore Park at 312-742-7891.
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RNRA I Love River North Happy Hour Event: June 16
Join the River North Residents Association on Tuesday, June 16 for their Happy Hour at Ila's Chicago, located 15 W Hubbard St., from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
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Sheffield Neighborhood Association Garden Walk: July 18-19
 I am proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 55th Annual Sheffield Garden Walk this July for the second year in a row. The event will take place on Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19. This incredible free community event will feature a self-guided walking tour of 50+ beautiful gardens, a Family Fest (on Saturday, July 18), live musical performances, interactive installations, architecture walks presented by the Chicago Architecture Center, live painters, and much more.
This time of year, Lincoln Park exemplifies Chicago's reputation as a "city in a garden." Celebrating the beauty, vitality, and biodiversity of this neighborhood is always a highlight of my summer. As you may know, I was recently able to strengthen our now-active Native Pollinator Garden Ordinance by increasing the maximum plant height to 36 inches in an effort to further support our parks, yards, other green spaces, and local ecosystems altogether (you can read more about that here). My hope is that these efforts to encourage and foster native gardens will ensure the health and beauty for years to come.
My staff and I will be greeting neighbors and visitors as they collect their program books ahead of the garden walk on Saturday and Sunday. Many of you stopped by last year to say hello and enjoy some complimentary popcorn, and I look forward to seeing you all again at this wonderful event.
Click here for more details.
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