Ald. Bennett Lawson

Dear Neighbors,

I want to begin by acknowledging the tragic events at Swedish Hospital this past weekend. Officer John Bartholomew lost his life in the line of duty, and another officer is still fighting for his life. My thoughts are with Officer Bartholomew’s loved ones, the entire Chicago Police Department, and all of our first responders who put their lives at risk to protect our city every day.

Here in the 44th Ward, Wrigley Field will make history this weekend by hosting the first Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic on Saturday, May 2 at 7:00pm between Alabama A&M and Prairie View A&M. Northwestern baseball will also be playing at the Friendly Confines this weekend against Indiana. Both of these special Wrigley Field events will follow 1:20pm Cubs games, creating two doubleheaders. Please plan ahead and visit our website for additional information about Wrigley Field parking, traffic, and safety measures.

As a reminder, our 44th Ward Shredding and Recycling event will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 9:00am-12:00pm at our Ward office, 3223 N Sheffield. We are also excited to announce that we will be accepting old electronics. Please remember to remove any metal or plastic materials from your papers before bringing them.

April street cleaning has officially come to an end, and my team and I have been on every street in the ward this month. I have now personally cleaned every residential street in the ward since taking office, and I am grateful to everyone who has come out to help keep our community clean. A special thank you to Shelby and the Lakeview chapter of Trash People for organizing 13 volunteers this past weekend.

In preparation for the upcoming demolition of the property located at 2800 N Sheridan, the southbound Sheridan bus shelter and the westbound Diversey bus shelter were temporarily removed. Please note that the stops will not be relocated. Demolition is anticipated to be completed by the end of July, weather permitting, and the shelters will be reinstalled at that time. While we understand this is a temporary inconvenience for riders, these removals are necessary for accessibility and public safety. Please contact our office at [email protected]
with any questions.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our instrument drive in partnership with Spirit of Harmony. The instruments collected were donated to Intonation Music, a Bronzeville nonprofit that provides youth with small-group music instruction and mentorship, as well as Hungry for Music. We are grateful to everyone who helped us bring more music to more young people across Chicago.

Have a great weekend.

P.S To read this week's full newsletter, head to https://mailchi.mp/11358118141f/44th-ward-newsletter-apr-17-10348352

P.P.S To sign up for the 44th Ward weekly newsletter, go to 44thward.org/news/newsletter

Dear Neighbors,

With Earth Day tomorrow, there are many great opportunities to get involved right here in our community. You can join a park cleanup at Weisman Park from 9:00am-12:00pm or attend a recycling and donation event at Blaine Elementary from 10:00am-2:00pm. Across the city, the Chicago Park District is also hosting cleanups at more than 100 parks, continuing a long-standing tradition of caring for our shared green spaces. I encourage everyone to take part and to stay engaged year-round by connecting with local environmental groups for recycling tips and community cleanup opportunities.

On public safety, our office has started a waitlist for residents who would like to be notified when the 19th District hosts its next anti-theft steering wheel lock giveaway. These devices are an effective deterrent to vehicle theft, and I encourage you to sign up to stay informed. We are also encouraging residents to take part in a free, virtual su***de prevention training hosted by the Chicago Department of Public Health on April 24, which will help participants recognize warning signs and support individuals in crisis.

There are also several great community events coming up. Central Lake View Neighbors will host their annual Wine Tasting on April 19, and their plant and flower sale is currently underway. Both events support neighborhood initiatives and beautification efforts, and I encourage you to take part.

At this week’s City Council meeting, I was proud to bring our interns along to see local government in action and to recognize the important role they play in serving our community. City Council also confirmed Alderman Gil Villegas as the permanent Chair of the Zoning Committee. I will continue serving as Vice Chair and look forward to working together to advance development that expands affordable housing and strengthens our local economy.

I also recently sent a letter to the City’s 311 system recommending improvements to how hate-related graffiti is reported and tracked. With support from 42 of my colleagues, we are pushing for clearer categories so that serious incidents can be properly identified and prioritized. I am encouraged that 311 has agreed to evaluate these recommendations.

Finally, a reminder that April is Amnesty Month for City Stickers. Drivers can purchase their city stickers without late fees through the end of the month.

Have a great weekend!

P.S To read this week's newsletter, head to https://mailchi.mp/02bd3343fc54/44th-ward-newsletter-apr-17-10348112

P.P.S To sign up for the 44th Ward weekly newsletter, head to 44thward.org/news/newsletter

As we approach Earth Day, please join neighbors for a Weisman Park Cleanup from 9:00am-12:00pm on April 18th!

Sign up here:
https://bit.ly/4qIk7CX?r=qr

Dear Neighbors,

Baseball season is officially back at Wrigley Field, with home games this weekend at 1:20pm each day. As we welcome fans back to the neighborhood, please remember to plan ahead for increased traffic, parking restrictions, and safety measures. Taking a few moments to review game day guidelines can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Street sweeping is also underway across the ward. I ask that residents please move their cars during posted times so our crews can fully clear debris and prevent water buildup as we move further into spring. Thank you to everyone who has already been helping out! Your cooperation truly makes a difference in keeping our streets clean and our drainage systems functioning properly.

We were excited to celebrate the grand opening of POP/Culture Chicago on Clark Street, a unique new shop featuring craft sodas, collectibles, and vintage finds. It’s a fun and creative addition to the neighborhood, and I encourage you to stop by and support this local business.

In public safety news, vehicle break-ins targeting airbags continue to be an issue in our area, particularly impacting Honda Civics and Accords. Our office is working closely with CPD and a citywide taskforce to address this trend. We will continue to share updates, including opportunities to access anti-theft devices, and I encourage residents to remain vigilant.

I also want to share a team update from our office. After two years of dedicated service, Isaac Troncoso will be departing to return to New York City. Isaac has played a critical role in advancing major initiatives, including our Community Plan and housing efforts, and I am incredibly grateful for his work. At the same time, I am pleased to welcome Alex Ponder to the team. Alex brings strong experience in constituent services and community engagement, and I look forward to her continued work serving the 44th Ward.

Finally, I am excited to share that our expanded ADU program is already seeing strong momentum, with 126 applications submitted in just the first several days. This initiative is helping to create modest, neighborhood-scale housing options while supporting homeowners, and we will continue to keep you updated as it progresses.

As always, thank you for staying engaged and helping make our community a great place to live.

Sincerely,
Alderman Bennett Lawson

P.S To read this week's full newsletter, head to https://mailchi.mp/a684f27da06e/44th-ward-newsletter-apr-10-10348022

P.P.S To sign up for the 44th Ward weekly newsletter, head to https://www.44thward.org/news/newsletter/