| Happy Friday Neighbors,
Many of you may have noticed an uptick in ICE activity recently. Over the past week in particular, we have seen a lot more ICE agents out on the street, many of whom are using escalated tactics similar to what we saw last fall: pulling people out of vehicles on their way to court appointments, crashing into vehicles, and assaulting responders exercising their legal right to observe. ICE agents have also been detaining people at courthouses, in blatant violation of Illinois state law.
While it is disheartening to see ICE activity on the rise again, we know that Chicago is, and always will be, the city of strong shoulders. We stood strong in the fall against fascism, and we will continue to do so as long as it takes. On that note, I encourage you all to wear your whistles, stay alert, and report any ICE sightings to the ICIRR hotline at 855-435-7693.
On a lighter note: Happy Pride! It is always great to have the opportunity to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ siblings, and Chicago’s incredible legacy of queer activism. When we are facing oppression, we can take strength from remembering how our elders fought for our rights (which you can do more of at Gerber/Hart Library’s Queer Elder History panel on June 11th), and in being in community with each other. There are so many ways to do that this month, from the Elise Malary Groundbreaking, in honor of Andersonville’s first pedestrian plaza, and Chicago’s first public space named after a Black Trans Woman, to the Be Seen, Be Proud opening and drag show at 6311 Arts next Saturday. You can find out more about all of these events below! 
I’ll be performing at Midsommarfest next Friday, June 12th, so stop by and say hi! 
Also, this Sunday, I will be at Is/Was Brewing in the ward for a live interview, stop on by! 
Yours in Service and Community, 
Andre Vasquez |
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| Elise Malary Groundbreaking
Join us for a groundbreaking of the much-anticipated Elise Malary Plaza!
The plaza will turn Catalpa Avenue into a beautiful public space where the community can gather together, host events, and shop the Andersonville Farmer’s Market during the summer season. We’re so excited to bring the community’s vision into reality, and to honor our sister Elise Malary, for whom it is named. Hope to see you there!
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| Homegrown Building Assistance Grant Program
Need help buying a home? The Chicago Department of Housing just launched the HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program, which aims to help low- and moderate-income Chicagoans achieve homeownership! The program provides up to $70,000 in financial assistance to eligible homebuyers purchasing a 1-2 unit home in Chicago. Applications for the HomeGrown program will open on Monday, June 8th! To learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply, please visit this link. |
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| 2027 Budget Engagement Roundtable
Join Mayor Brandon Johnson for a 2027 Budget Engagement Roundtable! Share your insights and priorities on the 2027 budget, and create a collaborative sample budget to understand more about the City’s annual budget process, by exploring the real-world tradeoffs involved in funding City programs and services. Doors will open one hour before each Roundtable for a City Resource Fair, where representatives from City departments will be available to answer questions and provide information about City services and programs.
Location: Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Avenue Date: Saturday, June 6th 2026 Time: 9:00am-12:30pm |
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| Train the Trainer: Emergency Family PlanningJoin the Chicago Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights and Indo-American Center for a virtual Train the Trainer workshop on Emergency Family Planning! This training is designed to empower community organizations and advocates to help immigrant families develop emergency care plans for their children in case of detention or deportation. Wednesday, June 10th at 12pm: English Wednesday, June 17th at 12pm: Spanish Register at bit.ly/CIRRTrainer
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| Zoning Updates
4949 N Western Ave Community Zoning MeetingJoin us for a virtual community meeting on Tuesday, June 16th at 5:30pm to discuss a request to rezone 4949 N Western Ave from B3-3 to B2-3 to allow for a new five-story residential building.
5115 N Ravenswood Notice of IntentThank to neighbors who submitted feedback on the 5115 N Ravenswood - N Family School rezoning proposal. Feedback was not supportive for this project. Neighbors who submitted comments noted a lack of outlined traffic safety plans and concerns about the impact on the business corridor. After consideration of resident feedback, the 40th Ward office will not support the proposed zoning change from M1-2 Community to B2-3 by 814 Services LLC to allow for the construction of a daycare facility.
5155-53 N Oakley: Notice of IntentThank you neighbors who submitted feedback on the request for and Aldermanic support for a special use permit for 5155-53, Step 3 Sober Living. Feedback on this proposal showed a majority of neighbors not in support. Neighbors shared concerns about the property’s operations, safety plans, and unaffordability. The 40th Ward Office also received inconsistent information on the operations of the property. Hearing the feedback of the community, Alder Vasquez will not support the special use permit of this applicant and will share this notice of intent with the Zoning Board of Appeals. Please note that the Zoning Board of Appeals makes special use permit requests independently of the City Council and may decide to approve this request. |
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| Construction Updates
Check out some of the major construction projects going on in the ward this week! |
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| Lincoln Avenue StreetscapeThe second and final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape Project is almost at the finish line! Punch list items are currently being addressed this week, and the new traffic light will be turned on this week, after which there will be no left-turns from westbound Ainslie Street onto southbound Western Avenue. |
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| Manor Avenue ResurfacingThe long-awaited resurfacing of Manor Avenue has begun! Crews are currently excavating and pouring concrete for curb and gutter and alley aprons along Manor from Lawrence to Montrose. Following concrete work, they will mill the existing asphalt, adjust any sewer structures, and then repave the street, followed by pavement markings. The entire process takes around 3-4 weeks.
While the street will remain open for the duration of this work, there will be lane closures as needed to facilitate this work, so please plan for additional time on your commutes! We apologize for the disruption, but looking forward to a smoother, safer Manor Avenue. |
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| Elise Malary PlazaWe are thrilled to announce that a contractor has been chosen for the Elise Malary Plaza, and we expect work to begin in June! If you missed the pre-construction meeting we held earlier this week, you can check out a recording here. |
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| | Ashland Avenue ResurfacingCrews are currently working on paving the first layer of asphalt from Montrose to Foster, after which they will begin roadway patching and structure adjustments. Traffic lane closures will continue as needed to facilitate this work, so please allow additional time for your commute! |
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| | | Looking for a jersey for the World Cup? Check out Chacal Sports at 6315 N Ridge Avenue! |
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| Be Seen, Be Proud
Opening Saturday, June 13, with a reception and drag show from 12–6 p.m., the exhibition will feature painting, photography and collage by Chicago-area artists exploring Pride in all its forms — joyful and celebratory, deeply personal, politically engaged, and unapologetically visible.
Be Seen, Be Proud highlights the diversity and creative energy of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community while creating space for reflection, connection, and dialogue during Pride Month. |
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| CCPSA 20th District Monthly Meeting
Join 20th District Councilors on Monday, June 8 at 6:00 pm at the Japanese American Service Committee (5700 N. Lincoln Ave.) for the 20th District Council June 2026 monthly meeting. They will be learning about Treatment Not Trauma’s summer campaign to expand funding for and access to public mental health services in Chicago. Then they will do a Canvassing 101 training before going out to talk to neighbors and collect signatures in support of these services. No canvassing experience necessary - join us! |
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| BCO Street Sale
On Saturday, June 6th from 9am-4pm, Bowmanville Community Organization (BCO) is hosting a Street Sale from Foster to Bowmanville Ave and Ravenswood to Western Avenue. |
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| GRO Annual Yard Sale!
Join us for our highly anticipated Annual Yard Sales! Sellers will be out on June 7th from 10-4. Buy, sell and barter your way to new items and as a side bonus, meet some new neighbors while you're at it. Link to our seller map can be found on our website at this link. |
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| WANT Community Garden Volunteer Work Day
Join the West Andersonville Neighbors Together group for a volunteer work day! On Saturday June 6th from 9am-12pm, meet in center of garden 5300 blocks of N Ravenswood at W Summerdale, east of the railway! Bring gloves and a water bottle––tools and coffee provided! |
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| Summer Art Market: The Digs x Half Acre
On June 6th & 7th between 11am-5pm, The Digs Chicago is partnering with Half Acre Brewing to host an Art Market featuring local artists and makers.
Kick off summer with us at Half Acre (2050 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60625) and celebrate functional artwork. Have a drink, a snack, and shop.
Our vendors will have items such as ceramics, candles, knitwear, and more! |
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This week, there has been significant discussion surrounding snap curfews and so-called “teen takeovers.” Some have called for greater criminalization of young people simply for gathering in public spaces such as beaches and parks. I believe we should be focused instead on creating safe, welcoming spaces where teens and young adults can connect, socialize, and build community without excessive policing or environments that foster hostility and distrust.
A fellow District Council member from Chicago’s 7th District, Dion McGill, recently wrote an insightful opinion piece on these gatherings, arguing that the city should pursue a different approach. He highlights the example of Scotland’s Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU), established in 2005. Although housed within the policing system, the SVRU was intentionally multidisciplinary, bringing together partners from public health, social work, housing, education, and other sectors.
The SVRU was built around several key principles: that violence can spread like a contagion, that prevention is more effective than reaction, and that systems can intervene earlier to provide young people with belonging, safety, and hope. As part of this work, the initiative invested in youth-centered spaces where young people could simply exist and gather in physically and emotionally safe environments. These spaces remained open during the hours when violence was most likely to occur and were staffed by trusted adults and peer leaders. Programming included music, gaming, sports, food, mental health support, and job training opportunities.
By thinking more creatively about proactive solutions and less about criminalization, we can create environments that help young people feel safe while also strengthening the broader community. I encourage you to read the full article to learn more about this approach.
Join us on Monday, June 8, at 6:00 p.m. at the Japanese American Service Committee (5700 N. Lincoln Ave.) for the 20th District Council’s June 2026 monthly meeting. We’ll hear about Treatment Not Trauma’s summer campaign to expand funding for and access to public mental health services in Chicago. Following that, we’ll hold a Canvassing 101 training before heading out to speak with neighbors and collect signatures in support of these services.
You can add your name to the digital petition in advance. No canvassing experience is necessary—we hope to see you there!
Yours in Service, Deirdre O’Connor 20th District Councilor |
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| Airbag Theft Prevention
Protect your vehicle! Airbag thefts are on the rise, primarily targeting Honda vehicles. CPD recommends taking the following precautions: Add strong, visible deterrents Use a heavy-duty steering wheel lock Park in well-lit areas Install alarms in your vehicle.
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| | Public Safety Trends
Overall, violent crime is down 8.4% in the 40th Ward for the year so far compared to last year! Citywide, violent crime is down 8.2%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories. |
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| | Thank you to everyone who came out for It’s Your Park Day! |
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| Block Party season has begun! |
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| Our incredible Environmental Board was at EcoFest this past week talking about home electrification! |
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