Hi neighbors,


My heart goes out to the loved ones of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, the two Israeli Embassy workers who were killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum by a man with ties to Chicago. I stand with our entire 47th Ward community in condemning this horrific act of antisemitic violence, which has left so many of our Jewish neighbors feeling less safe. As we confront the alarming rise in antisemitism and other types of hate, we must remember that our community’s strength lies in our diversity—including our ability to practice the faith of our choosing with joy, and without fear.


Earlier this week, the full City Council met and approved an ordinance I introduced that automatically dismisses tickets incurred after someone’s car has been carjacked or stolen off of the street. Before this ordinance passed, City policy made victims responsible for traffic and parking tickets for the stolen vehicles, adding stress and financial burden at an already-terrible time for the vehicle owners.


During this Council meeting, I introduced an ordinance to ditch exorbitant move-in fees and fix our broken security-deposit system. With rents increasing, it's hard enough to find an affordable place to live. No one should be expected to pay $1,000 or more in outrageous fees just to move in.


Similarly, we're making it way too hard to build quality, affordable housing in Chicago. It can cost as much as $800,000 for a single unit due to increased design and legal costs, which don't apply to non-affordable developers. That’s why I also introduced an ordinance to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic costs that slow down the construction of new affordable homes. 


Thank you to the neighbors who attended our monthly Ward Night at our Lincoln Ave office, as well as School Board Office Hours hosted by CPS Board members Ellen Rosenfeld and Karen Zaccor. My thanks to Ellen and Karen for speaking directly with neighbors about how we can continue improving our wonderful and dynamic neighborhood schools.


This week, my office also hosted a community meeting regarding upcoming water main-replacement work on portions of Ravenswood, Hermitage, and Sunnyside that will be commencing soon. You can find more information about that work, as well as the upcoming resurfacing of portions of Ravenswood in our Infrastructure section below.


I hope you all have a safe and restful weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by Mayfestiversay tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday. Co-hosted by Dovetail and Begyle breweries, this annual festival will feature live music, delicious food and beverages, and family-friendly activities. Your $5 suggested donations will benefit The Friendship Center, a local nonprofit that provides food and supportive services to neighbors across the north side.


Yours in service,

Alderman Matt Martin

 

Office Closed on Monday, May 26th. In observance of Memorial Day, City of Chicago offices will be closed on Monday. For requests, please email info@aldermanmartin.com or call 3-1-1.

 

47th Ward News

Improvements Coming to Ravenswood Ave


Resurfacing will begin on the east leg of Ravenswood Ave next week and is expected to last until August. While crews are at work, they'll also install a number of improvements, including raised crosswalks, a contraflow bike lane, and a new bus shelter.


This work will create space for the planned expansion of the Winnslie Parkway community garden, providing 1,000 new feet of pedestrian paths on the Ravenswood Metra in a new community-run garden.


Learn more

Common Sense Reform to Support Crime Victims Passes


It's common sense: carjacking victims shouldn't be on the hook for traffic and parking tickets for their stolen vehicle. But until now, that's been the city policy.


After hearing from constituents who dealt with this frustrating issue, Alderman Martin introduced an ordinance to automatically dismiss tickets in these situations.


The ordinance passed unanimously this week.

 

Upcoming Events

OpenWall Meeting

Saturday, May 27th


Calling all 47th Ward artists and creatives! Join us for our upcoming OpenWall meeting on Tuesday, May 27th at 6 PM. OpenWall is a volunteer initiative that supports the artistic community of the 47th Ward through gallery exhibits and cultural programming in the Alderman's Office. This meeting is open to artists of all mediums; both professionals and hobbyists with a passion for the arts.


RSVP

Ribfest

June 6th-June 8th


Ribfest is back for its 25th Anniversary! Ribfest invites all Chicago restaurant BBQ masters to compete for the title of "Best Ribs" and "People's Choice." While ribs reign supreme, Ribfest Chicago is also a music festival, featuring music from local and national acts.


Learn more
 

EcoFest

Saturday, June 7th


Mark your calendars for EcoFest at Welles Park. Join us for a day of sustainability, music, learning and community. Here you can get involved with local organizations, advocate for green policies and shop from a variety of sustainable vendors.


Learn more

Neighborhood Services

Provide Feedback on Next Chicago Public Schools CEO


The Chicago Board of Education is hosting a series of meetings to gather feedback from as many people as possible. School Board Members representing the 47th Ward will be attending a meeting at Nettelhorst School (3252 N Broadway) on Monday, June 2nd at 6:30 PM.


Host a Foreign Exchange Student


The Council for Educational Travel USA is looking for host families who live in the Lake View High School boundaries to host foreign exchange students. If you're looking for a way to make an impact on the next generation, this is the perfect opportunity. Host families make a global impact just by opening their homes and hearts. You can contact local coordinator Samantha Doerfler (samanthadoerfler@hotmail.com) for more information.


Learn more

Volunteers Needed: Musicians on Call


Musicians on Call is a national organization that brings the healing power of music to patients, families, and caregivers in healthcare environments across the country. With just once-a-month commitment, volunteers lift spirits, reduce anxiety, and creative a positive environment for healing.


They're currently seeking professional-caliber musicians to volunteer for patients virtually and at the bedside, as well as non-musician volunteer guides to lead musicians through the experience of playing for patients and liaising between families and staff.


Learn more

Volunteers Needed: Support Local Migrants and Refugees


19th District Mutual Aid continues to seek volunteers to support local migrants and refugees. There are plenty of different ways you can help from hosting a donation drive to delivering welcome kits or sorting donations.


Environment

Announcing our EcoFest Performance Schedule

Saturday, June 7th


We're excited to announce our performance schedule for EcoFest! Join us at the the Gazebo for some fun with Wiggleworms to hear from local elected officials or to discover local artists.


Learn more

Research Project: Heat Vulnerability Index

Saturday, June 7th


The City of Chicago and Northwestern University are working to develop a Heat Vulnerability Index to show which areas of Chicago face the biggest risk from extreme heat. It's important this index is built with feedback from community members. Northwestern is seeking participants to help learn how extreme heat impacts people's lives, families, and communities.


Learn more

Register Now: Summer Garden Walk

Saturday, July 26th


The Greater Rockwell Organization (GRO) is excited to host a neighborhood garden walk this summer! The event will be on Saturday, July 26th from 11 AM to 3 PM. Show off your garden, meet neighbors and enjoy the summer weather! If you live in the GRO boundaries, you can register your garden now! Homeowners, renters, businesses and community organizations are all welcome.


Small Business

New Business: Mimi's on Lincoln

3801 N Lincoln Ave


Welcome a new neighborhood cafe to Northcenter, Mimi's on Lincoln. Founder Mary Tobias has worked in some of Chicago's most acclaimed kitchens, including Girl & the Goat and Roister.


Stop by to grab a deli sandwich, an afternoon treat, or a baked good. They'll also be joining us this summer for Berenice Bash!


Learn more

State of the State

Wednesday, June 11th


The Greater Ravenswood and Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chambers of Commerce invite you to Begyle Brewing for a morning conversation and unique opportunity to discuss the issues you care about that impact your business with Members of Congress and Elected Officials.


Register

Resources

Business

  • Clark and Montrose SBIF Applications, Applications Open June 1, Learn more
  • Chicago Business Expo, May 31st, Learn more
  • State of the State with Greater Ravenswood Chamber, June 11, Learn more
  • Chicago Sky Women Owned Small Business Cohort Application, Learn more


Workforce

  • Shipping and Receiving Training, May 27th, Learn more
  • Wood Products Manufacturing Training, June 23rd, Learn more
  • Mid and Entry Level Positions in Chicago Law Department, Learn more
 

Public Safety

Feedback Needed: Traffic Stop Policy


The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, the Police Department, and the Illinois Attorney General's Office are working to develop a new traffic stops policy. This policy will govern how traffic stops are conducted, reviewed, and how officers are trained. In April, they released their first draft of the policy. Now, they're seeking public feedback before finalizing a new policy.


Take the Survey

Police District Strategic Plans

Wednesday, May 28th


Join the 19th District Council to discuss CPD's District Strategic Plans. District Strategic Plans are yearly outlines of a District's core crime reduction priorities and community engagement goals created in conjunction with the community.


RSVP

Upcoming Public Safety Meetings

Public Safety Data


 
 

Infrastructure

Construction Updates


Find more information about ongoing projects on our website, including street resurfacings, the Clark Street pedestrian and bike safety project, water main projects, and work near the Western Brown Line.

Ravenswood Ave Resurfacing and Greenway Extension


Construction on the Ravenswood Arterial Resurfacing project is expected to begin next week and last into August. This project will involve repaving the east leg of Ravenswood between Wilson and Peterson and will include a number of streetscape improvements.


In addition to the repaving, CDOT will install a number of pedestrian, transit, and bicycle improvements, including:



  • A southbound contraflow bike lane between Winnemac and Leland, part of which will be protected by a concrete curb between Ainslie and Winnemac 
  • Raised crosswalks between Lawrence and Winnemac and a pedestrian refuge island on Lawrence at Ravenswood to improve visibility and safety for crossing pedestrians.
  • A concrete #9 Ashland bus turnaround area, including a new bus shelter


Finally, this project will create space for the planned expansion of the Winnslie Parkway community garden from Ainslie to Lawrence. This will provide 1,000 new feet of pedestrian paths to the Ravenswood Metra Station in a new community-run garden. To accommodate these improvements, CDOT will convert diagonal parking into parallel parking spaces along the tracks on the west side of Ravenswood between Ainslie and Lawrence.

Montrose Bridge Repairs


Starting in early June, CDOT will be making structural repairs to the Montrose bridge over the river. The work will include sidewalk improvements, bridge deck patching, milling and paving the existing asphalt pavement, and striping. During bridge deck patching, there will be closures on half of the bridge, and then flipped once complete, but traffic will shift and remain open in both directions during the work. Work is expected to be completed in early August.

Community Board

This Weekend

Next Weekend

Upcoming Weeks

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:


 
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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47th Ward | 4243 N Lincoln Ave | Chicago, IL 60618 US

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