The 34th Ward Office will be closed on Monday, March 2nd for Pulaski Day, and will reopen on Tuesday, March 3rd.
Chag Purim Sameach! Purim begins on Monday evening, and I'm wishing you and your loved ones a festive celebration.
Holi is next Wednesday, and Navy Pier will be hosting a celebration on Saturday, March 7th. Learn more here and I hope you enjoy a colorful and joyful holiday!
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Chicago's Credit Downgraded
Yesterday, Fitch and Kroll downgraded Chicago's credit rating. This downgrade isn't surprising. I've been warning for years that Mayor Johnson putting more backloaded borrowing on the taxpayers’ credit card would come at a cost.
With nearly $40 billion in unfunded pensions, $25 billion in debt, and now a weaker credit rating, we must confront debt like the urgent problem it is before it crowds out funding for public safety and the services our communities rely on.
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Central West SBIF Applications Open March 1
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) opens for applications in March in the Central West TIF district. Apply on the SBIF site by March 30, and register for an informational webinar at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4.
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Greektown Restaurant Week
March 1-7, 2026
Next week, visit a participating restaurant to enjoy Greektown Restaurant Week specials, ranging from complimentary appetizers to special tasting menus. Click here to find a participating restaurant.
This year, the National Hellenic Museum is also offering complimentary admission on March 5th-7th from 10am-4pm. If you're dining in Greektown, consider adding a visit to the Museum in your plans to explore Greek history, art, and culture. Learn more about the Museum here.
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Green Homes Chicago
Apply by tomorrow, 2/27!
Green Homes Chicago provides free home energy upgrades and energy efficiency retrofits to income-eligible homeowners, including new insulation and heat pump heating and cooling systems. The registration period opened at 9:00am on Tuesday, February 17 and closes at 4:30pm Friday, February 27.
To learn more about the eligibility and application requirements, click here.
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Sueños and Lollapalooza Engagement Meeting
March 3, 6-7pm
Virtual on Zoom
Please join the teams from Sueños and Lollapalooza for a virtual community engagement meeting to learn more about the local impacts of these music festivals and get answers to any questions you may have.
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Early Voting is happening now!
Two Loop voting sites are now open in the Loop at 137 S. State and 69 W. Washington. From 2/12 to 3/8, the sites will have the following hours:
- Weekdays: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
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Any voter in Chicago can vote at any early voting site. Additional early voting sites will open in all 50 wards starting on March 2nd. In the 34th Ward, the UIC Student Center East (750 S. Halsted) is the early voting site. The hours are as follows:
- Weekdays: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Election Day (March 17): 6:00am - 7:00pm
To learn more about these additional sites, click here.
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Serve as a Poll Worker for the March 17th, 2026 Primary!
The Chicago Board of Elections is seeking poll workers for the March 17th, 2026 Primary, including bilingual election judges who speak Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, and Tagalog. To learn more and apply, please visit the Board of Elections website.
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Know Your Rights Resources
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Share feedback with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) about Delivery Robots
CDOT has created a new category of 3-1-1 requests allowing neighbors to report the impact of personal delivery robots on safety, mobility, and use of sidewalks and crosswalks alongside pedestrians and local businesses. My office is working alongside CDOT to monitor personal delivery robot operations to ensure timely responses to community concerns.
Please click here to learn more or submit a request.
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Save the Date: Get Behind the Vest Fundraiser Breakfast
March 29th, 8am-12pm
St. Ignatius College Prep, 1076 W. Roosevelt
Did you know that Chicago Police officers need to replace their bulletproof vests after around five years, but are only provided a vest when they join the Department? I'm hosting the 2nd Annual Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast benefitting the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation to purchase high quality, bulletproof vests for our Chicago Police officers.
Thanks to your involvement, we raised over $120,000 last year and I look forward to raising even more in 2026! I hope you can join me in supporting the officers who work hard every day to keep our communities safe.
Interested in volunteering? Please sign up here.
Interested in contributing? Please donate here.
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Changes to SNAP Benefits Started February 1
Take action now to maintain your benefits!
The federal government passed a new law that makes significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Link in Illinois.
Follow these steps as soon as possible to maintain access to your food and grocery benefits:
- Update your information: Report any changes to your income or household to the Illinois Department of Human Services.
- Review work requirements: Find out if you need to be connected with a job, volunteer opportunity, or education & training program for at least 80 hours per month. If you qualify for an exemption, apply for one.
- Stay informed: Get the latest updates and share this information with family and friends.
Nobody should go hungry because of paperwork, and there is support available. The Greater Chicago Food Depository can help you manage your benefits or sign up for SNAP today.
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Overnight Parking Ban
December 1 - April 1, 3am-7am
The City's winter overnight parking ban is now in effect along 107 miles of main streets across Chicago, in addition to the Snow Route parking ban that applies to additional streets any time there is more than 2 inches of snowfall.
Please be mindful of posted signage to avoid getting ticketed or towed.
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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.
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To see the rest of the designations, please visit Connie Fairbanks' website.
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!
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CAPS Meetings
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!
Next week, there will be four CAPS meetings in the 1st District:
- Beat 113: Wednesday, March 4th at 5pm
- Capital One Cafe, 100 S. State
- Beat 111: Wednesday, March 4th at 6pm
- Capital One Cafe, 100 S. State
- Beat 114 (Virtual): Thursday, March 5th at 10am
- Beat 112 (Virtual): Thursday, March 5th at 11am
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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.
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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.
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Street Closures
- Crane Lift - 63 E. Lake
- A full closure will be in place starting March 6th at 7:00PM until March 8th at 7:00PM.
- Lake Street will be closed from Michigan to Wabash, and Garland will be closed from Haddock to Lake. Detour signage will be posted
- Helicopter Lift - 180 N. Jefferson
- On March 7th from 9am to 12am, street closures will be in place for a helicopter lift at 180 N. Jefferson
- Street closures will be in place on Jefferson between Lake and Washington and Randolph between Desplaines and Clinton
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Polk/May Stop Sign Installation
CDOT installed stop signs at Polk and May. This is an important upgrade following constituent advocacy about the need for improved pedestrian safety in the area. This installation is especially critical due to the close proximity of Galileo Elementary and Sheridan Park.
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State/Lake Station Closure
Started January 5th, 2026
On Monday, January 5th, the State/Lake elevated station closed for demolition and the construction of a new, fully accessible station. The new station is expected to be finished in 2029.
Lake St has been reduced to one lane at the site, and State St has been reduced to one lane in each direction between Wacker Dr and Randolph St. The work affects the CTA bus routes listed here.
Trains operating along the Brown, Green, Orange and Pink lines and the Purple Line Express will no longer stop at the State/Lake elevated station for the duration of the construction. Loop trains will continue to operate, and riders can use the adjacent and fully accessible stations at Washington/Wabash and Clark/Lake. The Red Line station at Lake will remain open.
To learn more about construction at the State/Lake station and local impacts, visit the CTA's website.
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Work is underway for the Canal Street Viaduct reconstruction.
Canal – Jackson to Van Buren
- The section between Jackson and Van Buren is currently in stage 2 with work starting back up, due to cold temperatures, in two weeks. The work for this section is on the west half of Canal Street, and will include pavement replacement and updated lighting, as well as APS at the Van Buren intersection. There will also be staged pavement replacement on the south half of the Jackson intersection. This portion is anticipated to be completed this summer.
Canal – Van Buren to Harrison
- This section is also in stage 2 with a small portion of base course remaining to be poured, following that will be the last stage of the Harrison intersection reconstruction on the northwest corner. HMA overlay will follow both of those activities and is also anticipated to be completed this summer.
Canal – Van Buren Intersection
- The intersection is currently in stage 1 with the contractor working on repairs to the steel beams, a deck pour will follow the repairs for the south half of the intersection, and a stage switch for the north portion of the intersection is anticipated for this summer. Work is anticipated to be compete before the end of 2026.
If you have any questions, please email the project email address at CDOTCanalProjects@gmail.com.
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Lake Street Bascule Bridge Rehabilitation
Closure started 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.
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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.
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West Bridge House: Daytime work continues. Demolition is largely complete, and concrete foundation repairs are underway. Look out for walls rising above the foundation in the coming weeks.
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Adjacent Projects: ComEd plans to begin working on a new power service to the west bridge house this weekend (2/14) and next (2/21 and 2/22). They are working weekends to minimize the impact to adjacent properties. They will be installing conduit across Lake Street north of Canal but will maintain both street and pedestrian access by staging the work. Additional updates will follow.
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West Bridge Leaf: Heel locks and machinery have been removed for refurbishment and/or replacement. Structural steel repairs are underway.
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Halsted Street & Chicago Avenue Bridge Project
The Halsted St / Chicago Ave project is underway. 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.
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Ashland/I-290 Expressway Viaduct Work
Stage 2 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.
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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 2 is underway 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 June 2026.
This week, the contractor will work day and night to remove the existing beams spanning over I-290 expressway. The project is still anticipated to be completed by June 2026. There are no changes to stage 2 traffic configuration
For road construction updates and general travel information please visit IDOT’s Getting Around Illinois website.
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The City of Chicago and Cook County are hiring! View their respective job posting sites below:
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Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Old St. Pat's!
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Old St. Pat's is back with two great events for neighbors to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day.
On March 9th at 7:30pm, enjoy world class Celtic entertainment at Siamsa na nGael at the Chicago Symphony Center. Performers in this celebration of Old St. Patrick's Church's 180-year legacy include the Leo High School Choir and Catherine O’Connell. To learn more about this performance and reserve a ticket, click here.
On March 14th from 11am to 5pm, the 5th Annual Shamrock'n returns to Old St. Pat's! This is a festive event with fun for the whole family, including entertainment, food and drinks, and activities for kids. Reserve your tickets in advance here.
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The Trial of Odysseus
March 12, 7:00pm
Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph
The National Hellenic Museum Trial Series presents live, unscripted mock trials from Greek
history and myth, exploring questions of power, justice, and responsibility.
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Renowned attorneys argue before esteemed judges and a distinguished jury, while an audience votes to determine guilt or innocence.
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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.
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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.
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Helping Cats Near You
4th Sunday of every month, 4pm - 6pm
Details here.
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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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