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Hi neighbors,
Last Saturday evening, a drunk driver hit and killed 25-year-old Sarah Micarek as she was walking across Irving Park near Lake View High School. While attempting to flee the scene, the driver caused a second crash involving several nearby cars before CPD officers arrested him. He has since been charged with several felonies. My heart goes out to Sarah’s family and friends as they grieve her tragic death.
Neighbors in our Graceland West and Lake View communities are all too familiar with the speeding, inattentive driving, and other safety challenges along this stretch of Irving Park. Indeed, crossing Irving Park at Greenview and Janssen has been particularly difficult for kids and families traveling to nearby Lake View High School and Blaine Elementary.
During my conversations with leaders at the City’s Department of Transportation, I’ve urged them to move quickly in greenlighting improvements that my office first flagged for them in 2022. State transportation officials will also need to weigh in, since Irving Park is a State-controlled road. Like we did with Irving Park between Seeley and Oakley, my team and I will work with the City and State to make Irving Park east of Ashland safer for residents and visitors alike.
Thank you to all of the neighbors who joined me for Ward Night In on Wednesday. As usual, the conversations were wide-ranging — from immigration assistance and park district facilities, to speed humps, tree trimming, and water drainage. I was particularly grateful to talk with a resident who just moved to the neighborhood and, without prompting, offered to use his coding skills to help improve traffic safety.
I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider participating in Dine in Solidarity to support immigrant-owned businesses along Clark Street today (Friday) through Sunday. My sincere thanks to the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, Indivisible Lincoln Square, the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the 46th Ward Office for spearheading this wonderful initiative.
And mark your calendars for our rescheduled shredding and electronics recycling event on Saturday, September 19th from 9:00am to 11:00am!
Yours in service,
Ald Matt Martin
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Shredding Day
Saturday, September 19th
Join us at the Jewel Osco parking lot (4250 N Lincoln) for a free paper shredding and recycling event.
- Accepted Items:
- White and colored office paper
- Envelopes (with or without windows)
- Legal pads and notepads
- File folders
- Non-glossy flyers, brochures, and pamphlets
Please remove all staples and paper clips before arriving.
Learn more
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Thirsty Ears Music Festival
August 22nd-23rd
Thirsty Ears Festival is Chicago’s only classical music street festival! For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood are closed to feature stellar ensembles and soloists a huge range of classical music from all eras on the main stage.
Learn more
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Saigon Jazz Revival
Saturday, August 29th
Saigon Jazz Revival features legendary Vietnamese singer Carol Kim with a talented jazz ensemble from New Orleans for a live performance. This event kicks off the Vietnamese Association of Illinois 50-year anniversary celebration!
Learn more
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Bike the Drive
Sunday, September 6th
Whether you’re new to biking or a seasoned veteran, biking with your family or with friends, Bike the Drive is an event to remember. Ride as little or as much of the 30-mile course as you’d like, and then enjoy a post-ride festival in Grant Park. No bike? No problem! Rentals are available.
Learn more
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47th Ward Youth Council Back to School Event
Thursday, August 27th
Join the Youth Council for their back to school event at Chase Park! Meet other students in the neighborhood and talk about goals for the school year.
The Youth Council is a group of 47th Ward residents grades 8 through 12 who work to engage and organize young people throughout the Ward. They consult with the alderman on legislative priorities, plan community events, and weigh in on the issues most affecting young people in Chicago.
Learn more
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Consumer Research: Noise Study
A neighbor is recruiting Chicago adults who recently experienced environmental noise affecting their work, focus, or sleep, particularly apartment and condo residents. Selected participants will join a 30-minute phone or video interview and receive a $25 digital gift card after attending. This is for consumer research.
Learn more
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Petition: Kids Screen Time in Schools
Schools Beyond Screens is asking CPS to set reasonable, age-appropriate limits on classroom screen time, things like keeping devices out of early education classrooms, protecting device-free recess and lunch, and giving families more visibility into how screens are used in class. Other major districts, including LA Unified, have already taken similar steps.
Learn more
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Volunteer: Ravenswood Art Walk
September 12th-13th
The Ravenswood Art Walk could use a hand taking donations, selling beer tickets, slinging beer, setting up, and breaking down. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt courtesy of Luckyprints, 1 drink ticket, an invitation to a Volunteer Orientation, and an invitation to our end of the year Volunteer Appreciation party. Volunteers must be age 21 or older.
Learn more
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Youth Improv Workshop
More than an acting class, this four-week workshop uses a structured improv curriculum to help ages 11-14 build confidence, creativity, communication, and teamwork. In a fun, low-pressure environment, participants will practice expressing their ideas, thinking on their feet, collaborating with others, and becoming more comfortable taking creative risks.Led by experienced youth coach and Second City Conservatory graduate Jo Riordan.
Learn more
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Resources
Business
Workforce
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Listening Session: Next Police Superintendent
Wednesday, September 2nd
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) announced five community listening sessions across Chicago as part of its nationwide search for the next Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. One listening session will occur in the ward at DePaul College Prep.
Feedback gathered during these sessions will help inform the Commission’s search and evaluation of candidates before it submits three finalists to the Mayor for consideration later this fall, as required by ordinance.
Learn more
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Western Brown Line Construction
CDOT continues addressing their final touches required for project completion in the plaza and surrounding area. CTA is scheduling the return of bus service to the turnaround for August 23rd to align with timelines for bus staff schedules, digital map updates, and the installation of additional signage.
Sign up for Updates
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Ashland Resurfacing
CDOT is projected to begin constructing the 7 raised crosswalks and bus pad at Ashland and Wilson next week, pending a detour permit approval. The work will be done in sections to ensure pedestrian access is maintained. The raised crosswalks will be installed at Sunnyside, Ainslie, Carmen, and Winona. Final pavement markings and sewer structure cleaning are projected to be done by mid-October.
Sign up for Updates
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This Year: Upcoming Projects
- Water Main Replacement near Leavitt and Lawrence
- People's Gas Projects on Greenview from Roscoe to Grace
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Upcoming Weeks
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Meet Alpacas and Paint Pottery, August 15th, Learn more
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End of Summer Party at Bartleby's, August 21st, Learn more
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Thirsty Ears Music Festival, August 22nd-23rd, Learn more
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Saigon Jazz Revival, August 29th, Learn more
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Bike the Drive, September 6th, Learn more
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Oktoberfest, September 11th-13th, Learn more
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Ravenswood Art Walk, September 12th-13th, Learn more
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Twilight Canoe and Kayak, September 13th, Learn more
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Midway 5K, September 13th, Learn more
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Games for Good Food Pantry Fundraiser, September 19th, Learn more
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Community Job Boards
Looking to work locally? Many of our local chambers of commerce offer job boards to help highlight openings at local businesses. Find more information at the following links:
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47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin
4243 N Lincoln Ave | 773-868-4747
Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
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