Hi Neighbors,

This week, we paid tribute to Riley O’Neil, a Chicagoan and CDOT employee who was killed last week in a bike accident, after being doored by a car parked illegally in the bike lane. I am truly heartbroken by this loss. Riley was a dedicated public servant who believed fiercely in the right for all Chicagoans to be able to commute safely. It is devastating that he lost his life to the same traffic violence that he spent his life trying to protect his neighbors from.

This tragic loss to our community was absolutely preventable, and it is a reminder of why it is so crucial that we invest in bike and pedestrian safety infrastructure, so we can prevent future tragedies like this one. As Vice Chair of the Committee on Transportation, I am committed to continuing Riley’s work of making our city safer for everyone. I’m grateful to all the cyclists and community members who showed up to honor Riley’s memory at a vigil this past Monday, and pledge to carry on his work.

Next week, we will honor another neighbor who we lost too soon: Elise Malary, who was a light in our community. Elise spent her life fighting for the right of Black Trans people to thrive in our city. Now, Andersonville’s first pedestrian plaza will bear her name. I hope you all can join us next Thursday to honor her memory, commit to continuing her legacy, and celebrate the groundbreaking of this newest public space in our ward!

This past week we were hit with some severe storms and weather, so if you have a downed tree, pole or see anything that could cause considerable damage, please call 311––or better, yet, download the Chi311 app, submit the request, then escalate to our office at 40thWard.org/contact and send us the Service Request (SR) number!

One of our neighbors affected by the storms on the southside had his car, which he depends on for work destroyed by a tree. If you’d like to support his family, you can do so through GoFundMe. We also had a neighbor in our area lose her home in a recent fire, so if you’d like to contribute to helping her and her family rebuild, you can also support her through GoFundMe!

This weekend the team and I will be at Midsommarfest and Greek Fest in the ward! Catch us at the electeds tent on Clark tomorrow and Sunday. TONIGHT at 5PM I will be performing onstage with some old friends as a 90s hip hop cover band called AV & the Unks! Stop by and let’s celebrate community together! We will be at the Clark and Catalpa stage!

Yours in Service and Community,

Andre Vasquez

Ashland Avenue Resurfacing

Crews completed the first layer of asphalt from Montrose to Foster. They are currently working on roadway patching, structural adjustments, and concrete medians for the next four weeks. After the July 4th holiday, they will complete the final layer of asphalt. Traffic lane closures will continue as needed to facilitate this work, so please allow additional time for your commute!

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.

Free YMCA Summer Membership for Teens

Chicago teens ages 12-18 are eligible for a free membership at a city YMCA location this summer! Get access to sports, fitness, creative activities, and a place to connect. Try something new, spend time with friends, or just hang out — the Y is yours all summer long! Register in person at one of seven city YMCA Locations:

• IRVING PARK YMCA- 4251 W. Irving Park Rd.

• KELLY HALL YMCA- 824 N. Hamlin Ave.

• LAKE VIEW YMCA- 3333 N. Marshfield Ave.

• McCORMICK YMCA- 1834 N. Lawndale Ave.

• RAUNER FAMILY YMCA- 2700 S. Western Ave.

• SOUTH SIDE YMCA- 6330 S. Stony Island Ave.

• WEST GARFIELD PARK YMCA- 4305 W. Madison St.

  
  

For kids 12–17 years old, a parent or guardian must be present and bring a driver’s license, State ID, or City Key with a Chicago address. Teens aged 18 can register on their own with a driver’s license, State ID, or City Key with a Chicago address.

CCPSA 20th District Monthly Meeting

On Tuesday, June 16 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM, the 17th District Council is hosting their monthly June meeting at Roosevelt High School (3436 W Wilson Ave, 60625). The event will feature a presentation from Maggie Hickey of the Independent Monitoring Team (IMT) on the progress of the Consent Decree. RSVP here.

Block Party Andersonville: PrideFest Edition

Show up, throw some wood, make new friends. Block Party is a free, casual Kubb tournament built for Andersonville's queer adults (allies welcome) to gather and meet new people on the lawn by Hollywood Beach. Sign up solo or request a buddy, get randomly paired into teams, and spend the afternoon on the lakefront. Saturday, June 20, noon to 4 PM. Register at this link.

Shakespeare Blood Oath: Henry VIII at River Park

On June 16 at 6:30 PM, Shakespeare Blood Oath is performing Henry VIII at River Park as part of Chicago Park District's Night Out in the Park! The show is free and all-ages, but it is outside, so please bring a blanket or chair! If you want an email reminder, you can RSVP at this link.

Teen Pride Space at Pride Fest

On Saturday, June 20th and Sunday, June 21st from 11am - 5pm both days, Center On Halsted is hosting a Teen Pride Space at Pride Fest at the corner of Waveland and Broadway! This space features activities, drag performances (Saturday June 20th at 2pm), and resources by and for LGBTQ+ teens ages 12-18. Pride Fest is a large street event celebrating all things queer and the Teen Pride Space aims to include young people in the festival while having a space specifically for teens.  Questions? E-mail Hannah Rapp (hrapp@centeronhalsted.org).

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at Indian Boundary Park

On June 12 starting at dusk (8:45pm), Movies in the Parks is showing Ferris Bueller's Day Off at Indian Boundary Park (2500 W Lunt). Grab a blanket and enjoy a movie under the stars!

Public Safety Updates

Hi Neighbors,

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

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.

Public Safety Trends

Overall, violent crime is down 9.2% in the 40th Ward for the year so far compared to last year! Citywide, violent crime is down 7.8%. See below for a breakdown of citywide and 40th Ward statistics across all categories.

On Thursday, the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights held a hearing on DACA, in order of its 14th anniversary, and to highlight the many obstacles DACA recipients are facing under this administration. Thank you to everyone who shared their testimony!

Thank you to all the neighbors who came out to honor Riley O’Neil this past Monday, and to Viktor Köves for capturing it on film!