Hi neighbors,

This week, I joined my colleagues on the City Council’s Environmental Protection Committee in reviewing a new pilot program for reducing the City’s rodent population that uses contraceptive pellets (i.e., rat birth control). I’d like to give a special shout-out to ward resident Alyssa Berman-Culter, who helped shed light on this Lincoln Park-based initiative in her capacity as director of government affairs for the Lincoln Park Zoo. We also expressed our support for the US Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a water system reclamation study to inform future efforts to remediate contaminated sediments along the Chicago River.

I also participated in a meeting of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee to review the City’s recently recreated Office of Reentry, which helps coordinate services provided to Chicagoans returning home from incarceration. These services range from housing and food assistance to employment to mental health. I especially appreciated learning about the Safer Foundation’s work in managing two adult transition centers in our North Lawndale neighborhood that are designed to support over 500 Chicagoans.

Yesterday, I met with dozens of senior residents at the Martha Washington and St. Vincent DePaul to discuss ongoing planning around the North Center Senior Satellite Center. I greatly appreciate representatives from Catholic Charities joining me at this meeting to reiterate their commitment to continue working with my office and the City’s Department of Family & Support Services to maintain meal service and other critical resources. I’ll continue to share updates about the Center in the coming weeks, including opportunities for our senior neighbors to share feedback on the services that are most important to them.

Earlier today, I joined several of my colleagues and the Small Business Advisory Center to identify opportunities to streamline certain business applications to make it quicker and cheaper to open a new business in Chicago. We’re hoping to introduce legislation later this year on this subject, and I’ll keep you posted when we do.

I hope you all have a restful weekend. If you’re looking for ways to get out of the house and watch the Superbowl or the Olympic Winter Games, consider swinging by one of our many wonderful local sports bars like the Globe Pub in North Center, AJ Hudson’s in Lake View, Platform 47 in Ravenswood, or the Wild Goose in Lincoln Square.

Yours in service,

Ald Matt Martin

Office Closed. City of Chicago offices will be closed on Thursday, February 12th in observance of Lincoln's Birthday. Please call 3-1-1 or email info@aldermanmartin.com with any requests.

Workshop: City Resources Panel for Local Artists

Saturday, February 21st

Local artists and creatives are invited to a free city resources panel from 1–2 PM at Sulzer Library.

In partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), this discussion will cover Chicago grant opportunities as well as other supports like workshops and residencies for Chicago-based artists.

Panelists will share what makes a strong application, how to grow your work through existing programs, and take audience questions.

RSVP

Apply: EcoFest Vendor

Saturday, May 30th

We're accepting applications for EcoFest 2026 vendors, which will take place on Saturday, May 30th from 10am-2pm at Welles Park. 

As you may know, EcoFest is an annual celebration of our community's commitment to sustainability, where we showcase nonprofits, small businesses, and other vendors doing environmental work citywide.

We host hundreds of participants each year, and work to provide engaging activities, including climate action booths, live entertainment, recycling drop-off, sustainable craft activities, and more. 

Apply

Andersonville Puzzle Exchange

Sunday, February 8th



Participate in the 6th Annual Andersonville Puzzle Exchange from 10 AM - 2 PM at the Swedish American Museum.

Bring a puzzle, take a puzzle! Bring gently used puzzles, secured in a resealable plastic bag in the original box with no missing pieces – and take a different one home! Take home as many as you bring. Puzzle drop-off begins at 9 am, the exchange begins at 10 am.

Stick around and cheer on contestants in the third annual Great Andersonville Puzzle Throwdown. See who can finish a secret 48-piece puzzle the fastest… and win a special prize!

Learn more

Lunar New Year Parade

Saturday, February 21st

Celebrate the Lunar New Year along the Argyle commercial corridor in Uptown! To welcome the Year of the Horse, the Uptown Chamber will be hosting the Lunar New Year Parade on Saturday February 21st (kick-off at 1:00pm sharp at Argyle & Sheridan) featuring 20+ local community groups, cultural institutions, dancers and performers! In addition, a number of local organizations are planning pop-ups with family-friendly activities between 10:30am-4:00pm. 

Learn more

Galentine's Day Portrait Painting

Friday, February 13th

Join Bon Femmes from 6 PM to 8 PM for a hilarious and heartfelt evening of painting portraits with your best friend. Inspired by those viral videos where couples paint each other’s portraits, this event puts a playful twist on capturing the essence (and quirks!) of your BFF.

Learn more

Ride Safe. Ride Smart. Ride Ready.

Micromobility is changing how Illinoisans get around. From bicycles and e-bikes to electric scooters and skateboards, new transportation options are growing faster than ever – and our laws aren’t keeping up.

To enhance safety and provide much-needed clarity to micromobility, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has launched a campaign to help Illinoisans understand the current rules and generate support for modern updates to the Illinois Vehicle Code that protect riders, pedestrians, and drivers.

Learn more

Open House: Swedish Hospital Heart Health

Saturday, February 28th

Explore a variety of informational tables, connect with experts who are here to support our well-being, take advantage of our free blood pressure screening and learn how to combat heart disease, plus much more.

• Know Your Numbers (Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Blood Pressure)
• Free Blood Pressure Screenings
• Nutrition tips and guidance
• Help with SNAP/LINK and Medicaid enrollment

Learn more

Survey: For Adults Ages 60+

The City of Chicago is asking seniors (60 years of age or better) and their caregivers to identify programs and areas of need for seniors to shape requests for future programming and funding.

Take the survey

Donate: Help Lane Tech Student Attend Conference

Help Ellie, a student at Lane Tech, attend an upcoming writing conference at the University of Connecticut. Ellie is a proud tutor at Lane’s writing center where she tutors all grade levels in writing. She's been passionate about writing for a very long time, and hopes this conference is an opportunity to share her love for writing and tutoring.

Donate

Lincoln Square Valentine's Day Dining Specials

Planning a Valentine’s meal? Skip the crowded chains and celebrate close to home. Local restaurants are serving up everything from romantic prix fixe dinners and cocktail specials to cozy comfort food and heart-shaped treats.

Dine in, take out, or make it a casual celebration. There’s something for every kind of Valentine.

Learn more

Resources for Businesses

• Small Business Taxes 101, February 9th, Learn more
• Women's Small Business Symposium, March 5th, Learn more
• Northcenter SSA #38 Rebate Programs, Learn more

New: Check Air Quality Near You

Last summer, the City of Chicago installed hundreds of new air quality sensors. Now, you can view the data online for live updates on air quality near you.

You can also sign up for notifications when a specific sensor near you picks up unhealthy air quality and download measurements from the last 30 days.

Learn more

This Weekend

• Taste of Ravenswood, February 6th, Learn more
• Ice Cream for Breakfast Day at Bartleby's, February 7th, Learn more
• National Girls in Sports Day, February 7th, Learn more
• Coffee and Cocoa Crawl, February 7th, Learn more

Next Week

• Lane Tech Drama, February 11th-14th, Learn more
• Senator Simmons Town Hall, February 12th, Learn more
• Roscoe Village Wine Walk, February 13th, Learn more
• Valentine's Day Concert at Concordia Church, February 13th, Learn more
• World Refugee Day Documentary Screening, February 15th, Learn more

Upcoming Weeks

• St Andrew Fish Fry, February 20th, Learn more
• Karaoke at DANK Haus, February 20th, Learn more
• Lunar New Year, February 21st, Learn more
• Black History Month at Music Box Theatre, February 23rd, Learn more
• Meet the Beatles in Hamburg, February 26th, Learn more
• Revere Park Bingo Night, February 26th, at Burning Bush at 6 PM
• Ravenswood Work Center Open House, February 26th, Learn more
• Gospel Brunch for Common Pantry, February 28th, Learn more

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:

• Andersonville
• Lakeview/Roscoe Village
• Lincoln Square/Ravenswood
• Northcenter
• Greater Ravenswood