Hi neighbors,

Like so many of you, I’m gravely concerned about President Trump deploying the National Guard to our city. Right now, we expect a large-scale immigration enforcement action to start next week, which may be followed by a National Guard Deployment.

Let’s be clear: this isn't a public safety strategy; it's a performance. We welcome federal resources to address violence. But let's do something that actually works. Restore funding for violence prevention organizations that the Trump administration cut. Help us stem the flow of assault weapons from Indiana. Or help us scale up our existing rapid rehousing services for homeless individuals who are currently facing housing waitlists in the thousands. While we don’t know exactly what’s ahead, currently, we’re collecting information for those who want to help support our homeless and immigrant populations in the coming days. If you’d like to help, please fill out this interest form, and we’ll connect you with local opportunities. 

My thanks to all of the neighbors who joined us on Tuesday evening at our monthly Ward Night to talk about housing—one of the most important issues confronting our ward and city. Monthly rents in our North Center and Lincoln Square communities are high and growing, ranging from $1700 for an average one-bedroom apartment to $3200 for a three-bedroom apartment. Expenses for homeowners are also increasing, due in part to rising property taxes, insurance costs, and lack of supply.

In recent years, my office has worked to build and preserve more affordably priced homes. We approved a 100% affordable development in the heart of Lincoln Square, as well as first-of-its-kind affordable housing for survivors of domestic violence in North Center. We passed laws to double the number of affordable homes required in new large developments, funded a highly effective program to rapidly rehouse homeless individuals, and helped save 150 senior homes at the former Bethany Senior Center. Stay tuned for more updates about our ongoing housing work on issues including fixing the move-in fee system, lowering construction costs, protecting 2- and 3-flats, and holding the Chicago Housing Authority accountable.

My thanks to all of the neighbors who came to our Get Crafty festival last Sunday at the parking lot at the Lincoln/Berenice intersection. We heard plenty of great ideas about how we can better use this parking lot in the future for community events and activities. There is still time to tell us what you think: we rescheduled our Get Up and Move event for late September. 

The City’s Ashland resurfacing project began earlier this week, with crews milling the street between School and Montrose. This involves heavy parking restrictions along that stretch until the end of next week. You can find more information about the project in our Infrastructure section below.

I hope you all have an enjoyable Labor Day weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by the annual Labor Day Parade in Pullman at noon tomorrow (Saturday) or participating in the annual Bike the Drive event on Sunday morning. 

Yours in service,

Alderman Matt Martin

Office Closed. The 47th Ward Office will be closed on Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day. Please call 3-1-1 or email info@aldermanmartin.com for requests.

Upcoming: Community Bike Ride

Join Alderman Martin and the 47th Ward team for our annual Community Bike Ride! We will be riding out on Friday, September 12th at 6 PM from Welles Park (Lincoln & Sunnyside) for a family-friendly tour of the 47th Ward highlighting landmarks and projects -- and ending with a choice of ice cream or beer.

Arrive early at 5:30 PM to test out e-bikes at the Gazebo with Alderman Vasquez, who will join us for the bike ride.

RSVP

New Date: Get Up and Move

Earlier this summer, we had to cancel out Get Up and Move event due to extreme heat. Now, it's back and rescheduled for Sunday September 21st.

Be sure to mark your calendar. Soon, we'll have announcements, including our free fitness class schedule, all day activities, and giveaways.

Learn more

Oktoberfest

September 5th-7th

Oktoberfest is next weekend in Lincoln Square. Stop by to try authentic German food, traditional drinks, and dance. This year, they will also be offering free flu shots on-site.

Please note, the festival will continue to take place at the temporary location at Lincoln and Sunnyside due to construction.Expect some street closures due to the festival and Sunday's parade.

Learn more

Clark Park Twilight Canoe and Kayak

Sunday, September 14th

Enjoy the finest natural scenery and wildlife on the North Branch of the Chicago River during the magic of twilight. Then, join the Clark Park Advisory Council for a delicious catered dinner, live music, and a silent auction.

Learn more

Ravenswood Art Walk

September 13th-14th

The Ravenswood ArtWalk Tour of Arts and Industry is a weekend-long celebration of our local creative community. Stretching from Lawrence south to Irving Park along Ravenswood Ave, this event features open studios and galleries, pop-up performances and activations, and an outdoor arts market featuring 60+ local makers, two stages of live music, a pop-up beer garden, kids activities, food trucks, and more.

Learn more

Veteran Assistance Office Hours

Friday, September 12th

Are you a veteran? Stop by our Veteran's Assistance Office Hours on Friday, September 12th from 12 PM to 4 PM for help with:

• Rental assistance
• Mortgage Assistance
• Utility Assistance
• Food Assistance
• VA Claims
• and More

Lincoln Square State of the Neighborhood

Thursday, September 30th

Join the Heart of Lincoln Square Neighborhood Association at the DANK Haus to hear about how your government representatives are working hard for you in City Hall, Springfield, and DC.

Learn more

Know Your Rights as an Unsheltered Person: Federal Law Enforcement

When troops were recently deployed to DC, people experiencing homelessness were forcibly removed and their property was destroyed with little to no notice. The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless prepared important Know Your Rights information in case the National Guard takes similar action in Chicago.

Learn more

Sun Day Solar Fest

Sunday, Septemeber 21st

Stop by Montrose Beach to celebrate and learn how you can make clean, affordable solar a part of your life! There will be family, friendly activities, live music, storytelling, arts and crafts, science demonstrations, and more.

Learn more

WBEZ: Mapping Chicago's Lead Service Lines

WBEZ Chicago recently mapped Chicago's lead service lines. You can search your address to check if your line is suspected or known lead. Additionally, you can learn about free water quality testing through the city, and programs that may help you replace a lead service line.

Learn more

New Business: Time and a Half Books

4839 N Damen

Welcome the 47th Ward's newest independent bookstore. You can stop by for your favorite fiction, non-fiction, and children's titles. And don't forget to ask them about their popular book clubs.

Learn more

Fall Into Damen at Night

Friday, September 12th

Enjoy the crisp air of Fall while meandering through Ravenswood during Damen at Night. Businesses will offer special treats and discounts throughout the night, with various vendors popping up at their stores. It's the perfect time to explore the uniqueness of the small businesses along Damen Ave.

Learn more

Resources

Business

• Ravenswood Security Camera Rebate Program, Learn more
• Doing Business with Cook County Government, Learn more

Workforce

• Timeline Theatre Facility Manager Job, Learn more
• Job Fair at Truman College, September 24th, Learn more

Gun Turn In Event

Saturday, September 6th

The Chicago Police Department is running a Gun Turn in Event at Uptown Baptist Church (1011 W Wilson) from 10 AM to 2 PM. No questions asked. You will receive a $100 gift for returning a gun. You will receive a $10 gift card for returning a BB gun, air gun or replica gun.

Learn more

Upcoming Public Safety Meetings

• Beat 1922, September 3rd
• Beat 1911/12, September 16th
• Beat 1921, September 17th
• Beat 2032, September 24th
• Beat 1931, September 24th
• Beat 2031, September 30th
• Find your beat

Public Safety Data



• Inspector General Public Safety Data
• Chicago Violence Reduction Dashboard
• Civilian Office of Police Accountability Data
• Town Hall with UChicago Crime Labs

Construction Updates

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

Ashland Repaving

Work started on the first segment of resurfacing Ashland Ave, between School St and Montrose Ave. As of this week, crews are removing old asphalt. They expect to reach Montrose by the middle of next week.

Today (Friday), another crew will start laying the first of two layers of asphalt moving north behind them. That work will be completed by the end of next week. Until that work is done, No Parking signs are needed on the entire stretch to make sure paving work can happen. Once that is done, we have requested CDOT remove as many no parking signs as possible.

Learn more

Western Brown Line Area Construction

The Western Brown Line Station's South entrance is temporarily closed until approximately Saturday, September 6th. In the meantime, please use the entrance doors on west or north sides of the station.

Learn more

Next Weekend

• Friendship Center End Hunger Games, September 6th, Learn more
• Yoga in Warner Park, September 6th, Learn more
• Oktoberfest, September 6th, Learn more
• Bartleby's Fall Fest, September 7th, Learn more
• Luther Memorial Church Block Party, September 7th, Learn more

Late September

• Quiz for a Cause at AJ Hudson's, September 18th, Learn more
• Free Paper Shredding, September 20th, Learn more
• PARK(ing) Day at Dovetail, September 20th, Learn more
• Southport Neighbors Yard Sale, September 20th, Learn more
• Berenice Bash: Get Up and Move, September 21st, Learn more
• Ward Night In, September 24th, Learn more
• Midnight Circus, September 26-28, Learn more
• CircEsteem Annual Gala, September 26th, Learn more
• Amundsen Athletics Golf Outing, September 28th, Learn more
• Heart of Lincoln Square State of the Neighborhood, September 30th, 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