40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez’s newsletter is a public health alert due to smoke from Canadian wildfires: an Air Quality Alert is in effect for Chicago and Cook County through July 16, with unhealthy air for all groups (Level 3-of-5), and residents are urged to stay indoors, keep windows/doors closed, and wear masks if outside. It also highlights heat-safety guidance and cooling-center information, noting the North Area Center (845 W. Wilson Ave) as the closest cooling center for the 40th Ward. Other than these weather-related safety updates and resources (including Chicago OEMC app/website), there are no zoning, budget, or development items mentioned.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) issued a traffic alert: the Department of Water Management crews are repairing a broken water main at 2050 W Foster Ave (west of Damen), requiring a lane closure on Foster Ave and possible temporary water service shutoffs for immediate neighbors. Residents are urged to move vehicles in the immediate area and use alternative routes as delays are expected for several hours. Other updates were not specified beyond additional follow-ups from the office as available.
In Ald. Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward newsletter, he reports that the Ethics Committee advanced legislation to prohibit city workers from using insider information to gamble, and the Transportation Committee passed the Sustainable Parkways resolution to shift parkway grass toward native species. He also highlights ongoing transit/streets-related work, including progress on the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape project and resurfacing/roadwork on Manor Avenue and Ashland Avenue.
Additional items include community announcements and events such as the Arcadia Terrace community meeting (July 14), a free catalytic converter etching event (July 18), and the 40th Ward “People’s Budget Committee” meeting to discuss $1M in infrastructure funds (July 15), plus back-to-school supply drives and local garden/library celebrations.
40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez highlights July 14’s Arcadia Terrace community meeting and, on the zoning/housing front, a July 20 virtual community zoning meeting on rezoning 2648–58 W. Lawrence (B3-2 to B2-3) for a new 5-story residential building with retail. He also updates residents on street projects (Lincoln Avenue streetscape nearing completion, Elise Malary Plaza construction with Catalpa closures, and ongoing resurfacing of Manor Avenue and Ashland Avenue) plus a July 18 free catalytic converter etching event.
Other major announcements include Winnemac Park Advisory Council’s July 4 “Fourth for All” (fireworks-free at the park), the July 3 office closure, a 4th Ward back-to-school supply drive through July 30, and reminders about crime statistics and public-safety topics like fireworks impacts and the next Superintendent nomination process for Chicago’s Police Department.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) invites residents to “Winnemac 4th for All” on July 4 at Winnemac Park, a free, family-friendly event with activities including an art fair, food trucks, live music, and a 7–10pm Full Moon Jam with firedancers; fireworks are prohibited to protect the park’s new turf field and improvements. The newsletter also provides 40th Ward office hours/ward night details and links to other community events and city services.
40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez highlights housing and development community input: feedback is open for a rezoning request at 4949 N Western Ave (B3-3 to B2-3) for a proposed 5-story residential building, and crews are continuing work on the Elise Malary Plaza with Clark Street crosswalk pedestrian safety monitoring. The newsletter also notes ongoing street infrastructure work, including the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape final phase (lights working; right lanes opened), and resurfacing/road repairs on Manor Avenue and Ashland Avenue.
Other updates include a Pride celebration and ribbon-cutting for the Ainslie Arts Plaza, a Bike-a-Palooza at Welles Park, a free catalytic converter etching event, an office closure July 3, and citywide/public safety notes (a recent Glenlake shooting report; violent crime down 10.3% in the 40th Ward year-to-date).
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) is inviting residents to the June 27 ribbon cutting and 12–6pm kick-off celebrating the newly improved Ainslie Arts Plaza, including live music, food trucks, and local art and vendors. The newsletter does not mention any zoning, housing, transit, budget votes, policy ordinances, or specific development approvals or hearings; it focuses on this community event. Other items include links to 40th Ward office hours and Ward Night on Mondays from 5:00–6:30pm.
In Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward newsletter, key items include ongoing development and housing actions: feedback is open for a rezoning at 4949 N Western Ave (B3-3 to B2-3) for a new 5-story residential building, and crews have begun construction of the Elise Malary Plaza on Catalpa (with permanent street closure of Catalpa between Clark and Ashland). The newsletter also highlights transit/street-related infrastructure work—Lincoln Avenue Streetscape phase 2 is nearly complete, and resurfacing is underway/ongoing on Manor Ave and Ashland Ave with lane closures expected.
Other major announcements include Juneteenth celebrations and events (Ainslie Arts Plaza ribbon cutting June 27 and Bike-A-Palooza June 28), City housing and small-business grant programs (HomeGrown purchase assistance and SBIF grant applications), storm-damage 311 self-assessment notices, and upcoming community events like NE Levy Center Village’s June 24 City Clerk presentation and a June 23 film screening at the Davis Theater.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) invites residents to the June 27 kick-off and ribbon cutting for the newly improved Ainslie Arts Plaza, with activities from 12–6pm including live music, food trucks, face painting, chalk art, and vendors. The newsletter mainly highlights this community public-space streetscape/plaza project; no zoning, housing, transit, or budget hearings/ordinances are mentioned. Other than office-hours/ward-night reminders, there are no additional major policy or infrastructure announcements included.
Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) highlighted a June 16 virtual community zoning meeting for a proposed rezoning at 4949 N Western Ave (B3-3 to B2-3) to allow a new five-story residential building, and he also noted ongoing Lincoln Avenue streetscape work (lights active; lanes reopened) plus scheduled resurfacing for Manor Avenue and Ashland Avenue. The newsletter also emphasizes transportation and housing-related priorities tied to bike/pedestrian safety, including Vasquez’s role as Vice Chair of the Committee on Transportation, and mentions planned completion/launch steps for the new Elise Malary Plaza (Catalpa closure starting next week). Other major announcements include a Jun. 18 groundbreaking for Elise Malary Plaza, a Jun. 27 ribbon cutting for Ainslie Arts Plaza, and upcoming ward events such as Midsommarfest/Greek Fest and various Pride-related activities.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) shared a National Weather Service tornado watch for Chicago and surrounding suburbs (4–9pm today), advising residents to minimize travel and stay indoors, and to shelter in a basement or interior room without windows. The newsletter also directs residents to use 311 and utility resources for storm-related issues like fallen trees/branches, flooding, and power outages, and offers office contact information for help. No zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street-safety meetings or policy actions were mentioned.
In the 40th Ward, Alderman Andre Vasquez’s newsletter highlights zoning meetings including a June 16 virtual community meeting on rezoning 4949 N Western Ave from B3-3 to B2-3 for a five-story residential building, and notes the 40th Ward office will not support a proposed rezoning for 5115 N Ravenswood (N Family School) or a special use permit for 5155–53 N Oakley (Step 3 Sober Living). It also covers major infrastructure/street work: ongoing Lincoln Avenue streetscape work with a new traffic light coming online and lane changes, plus Manor Avenue resurfacing (Lawrence to Montrose) and Ashland Avenue resurfacing (Montrose to Foster). Other announcements include the June 18 groundbreaking for the Elise Malary Plaza and Pride Month events like the opening of “Be Seen, Be Proud” (June 13) and his live interview at Is/Was Brewing on Sunday.
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) announced a groundbreaking for Andersonville’s first pedestrian plaza, Elise Malary Plaza, beginning construction this month. The event is Thursday, June 18 at 12pm at Catalpa and Ashland, marking plans to turn Catalpa Avenue into a public gathering space and support the Andersonville Farmer’s Market.
Other than this event invitation, the newsletter mainly includes links to project information and regular 40th Ward office hours/Ward Night.
In Alderman Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward update, he highlights zoning and development activity: a virtual hearing on June 16 to discuss rezoning 4949 N Western Ave (B3-3 to B2-3) for a new five-story residence; the 40th Ward office will not support a proposed daycare rezoning at 5115 N Ravenswood; and Vasquez will not support a special use permit at 5155–53 N Oakley, forwarding the community’s objections to the Zoning Board of Appeals. For transportation and infrastructure, the newsletter covers ongoing/near-complete work on the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape (including a new traffic signal and changes to left turns), Manor Avenue resurfacing from Lawrence to Montrose, and Ashland Avenue resurfacing.
Other major announcements include Pride Month events (including the June 13 opening of “Be Seen, Be Proud”), the June 18 groundbreaking for the Elise Malary Plaza, a 2027 Budget Engagement Roundtable with Mayor Brandon Johnson on June 6, and various community and public-safety updates (including guidance on airbag theft prevention).
Alderman Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) announced a groundbreaking on June 18 at 12pm at Catalpa and Ashland for Elise Malary Plaza, Andersonville’s first pedestrian plaza that will transform Catalpa Avenue into a public event and shopping space. The newsletter mainly serves as an invitation and does not mention any hearings, ordinances, development approvals, budgets, transit service changes, or street safety redesign decisions. Other information includes details on 40th Ward office hours and Ward Night Mondays from 5:00–6:30pm.
There were no zoning, development, housing, transit, or budget hearings/decisions reported in Ald. Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward newsletter. The most substantive ward-related items were construction and street work updates—continuing the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape, beginning Manor Avenue resurfacing, planning the Elise Malary Plaza work to start in June, and ongoing Ashland Avenue resurfacing—and community safety notes (e.g., airbag theft prevention and a 20th District Safety Saturday). Other major announcements included hosting Community Karaoke and Birthday Jam on Sunday, submitting ideas for the 2026–2027 People’s Budget by June 1, and CityArts grant applications due June 3.
In his 40th Ward newsletter, Ald. Andre Vasquez highlights City Hall budget and policy work affecting housing affordability and public safety, and notes that charges against the Broadview 6 were dropped after evidence of federal prosecutor tampering. He also updates on major ward streetscape and construction items—nearing completion of the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape traffic-signal phase (with left-turn restrictions), beginning Manor Avenue resurfacing, and selecting a contractor for the Elise Malary Plaza to start in June, plus ongoing Ashland resurfacing work.
Other announcements include the May 25 Memorial Day office closure, a call for People’s Budget project proposals due June 1, volunteer front-desk training on May 29, and several community events such as Memorial Day parade attendance and Chicago Fire Department Camp Courage (June 15–July 29).
Chicago’s 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez reported on multiple development- and streets-related updates, including a Q2 2026 town hall focused on development, a pre-construction meeting for the Elise Malary Plaza pedestrian project (with Catalpa closed between Clark and Ashland), and progress on the Lincoln Avenue Streetscape (including upcoming signal activation and related traffic changes). The newsletter also shared zoning input activity for 5155 N. Oakley (a special use permit feedback period for a Step 3 sober living proposal ending May 19), plus construction/traffic and safety-related street work (Ashland resurfacing, and new parking lane line changes/removal of Peak Hour Parking Restrictions on Ridge). Other announcements/events include People’s Budget project proposal submissions due June 1, Front Desk volunteer training May 29, and upcoming community events such as Mather High School’s Ethnic Fest (May 21–22) and Memorial Day volunteer flag setup at Rosehill Cemetery (May 22).
In Alderperson Andre Vasquez’s 40th Ward newsletter, major zoning and development outreach includes a virtual meeting on Monday, May 11 at 6pm with DPD to discuss a zoning change request for 1940 W Foster (B1-2 to B2-3) tied to redevelopment of the former police station, plus an open feedback period for a special use permit support request related to Step 3 Sober Living at 5155 N Oakley (feedback due May 19). The newsletter also highlights housing/street capital work: the ribbon cutting for the new 37-unit “Haven on Lincoln” non-congregate bridge housing shelter, ongoing construction and traffic-signal/streetscape updates along Lincoln Avenue, and Ashland resurfacing and sidewalk/bumpout improvements with lane closures. Other announcements/events include the 40th Ward Development Town Hall (May 12), Chicago River Day (May 9), CCPSA District 20 meeting on public safety/policing (May 11), and various community events such as Memorial Day flag setup volunteering and Centro Romero’s health fair (May 19).
Alderperson Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) issued a public safety alert: as of May 8, 2026, the 24th District and SWAT were responding to a mental health crisis at Winchester and Hood, with the area sectioned off and neighbors asked to avoid the scene. The newsletter does not report any zoning, housing, transit, budget, or street policy actions, developments, or funding decisions.