Hi neighbors,


Across the United States, major cities including Houston, San Diego, and San Francisco routinely commission staffing studies of their police departments to help the departments maintain sustainable and adequate staffing, meet public safety needs, and eliminate disparities in police response times. Twice in the last 10 years, the City of Chicago commissioned partially completed staffing studies but never publicly released them, despite a 2019 federal court order that mandated this analysis. 


After I passed legislation directing the City to comply with this federal order, the City commissioned and released a 750-page staffing study of CPD two months ago in March. Earlier this week, I chaired a City Council committee hearing that reviewed the study. 


Notably, we discussed recommendations from the study that CPD fill over 600 positions currently held by sworn officers with civilians, which could increase efficiency, improve services, and reduce costs. We also reviewed opportunities to reduce supervisor-to-officer ratios so that officers have more consistent and improved supervision, as well as pare down the number of nonurgent 911 calls that officers respond to so that they can focus on the most serious calls that arise.


With May being Mental Health Health Awareness Month, I’m reminded of how fortunate our ward is to have so many service organizations that care for our neighbors. And I had the pleasure of visiting two of them this week: Envision Unlimited is located in our Ravenswood community and trains individuals with lived experience of mental-health or substance 

-abuse recovery to engage in peer support. Rosecrance is located in our Lake View community and offers outpatient counseling, as well as sober living supports.


Yesterday, I was so heartened to see Mather High School student Ricardo Hernandez-Navarrete accept his diploma amidst pomp and circumstance, following his release from ICE custody. I’m grateful to the scores of community members who fought tirelessly for his release. 


I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend. If you’re looking for something to do, consider swinging by the annual Maifest Chicago street festival today through Sunday. Please keep in mind Maifest will return to the recently rehabbed farmer’s market lot and Western Brown Line plaza, and streets closures will be in place over the weekend.


And please join us for our annual EcoFest sustainability festival tomorrow (Saturday) between 10am and 2pm. With over 60 local vendors on hand, you’ll be able to connect with local organizations working on climate advocacy and environmental justice, dig into hands-on gardening activities, and drop off hard-to-recycle items.


Yours in service,

Ald Matt Martin

 

47th Ward News

Reform Passes: More Special Events in Taprooms


Your favorite local brewery might soon host more paint-and-sips, comedy shows, and community events, thanks to a small but meaningful reform passed by City Council.


Hosting events like these requires a special license. Until now, many breweries and distilleries weren’t eligible to apply at all. And even so, the process is costly and lengthy.


Last week, Alderman Martin passed reforms to expand eligibility and cut two steps from the approval process, making it faster, simpler, and more affordable for small, local businesses to host events.

Get Ready for EcoFest

Saturday, May 30th


EcoFest is tomorrow, Saturday, May 30th! As you get ready, make sure you have everything you need.


  • Check the recycling guide
  • Bring ripped clothes for mending
  • Register for craft workshops
  • Sign up for dance cardio
  • Bring comfy shoes for a TreeWalk


You can find the full day schedule, registration links, and recycling guides on our website.


Learn more
 

Upcoming Events

Maifest

May 29th - May 31st


Maifest is the traditional German celebration of the arrival of spring. The festival returns to the farmers market parking lot at Leland and Lincoln this year.


Admission to Maifest Chicago is free and includes German food and beer available for purchase. Bands provide entertainment throughout the fest.


Please keep in mind street closures will be in place this weekend around the heart of Lincoln Square.


Learn more

Ribfest

June 5th - June 7th


Ribfest Chicago invites all Chicagoland 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 and includes a “Kids Zone” allowing children to slide, climb, jump, ride, dance and enjoy live entertainment all weekend long.


Learn more

The Great Bake Walk

Sunday, June 7th


This summer, treat your taste buds to something special and stroll through Lincoln Square for a one-of-a-kind morning adventure: The Great Bake Walk! This event invites you to explore our vibrant neighborhood while sampling delicious baked goods from a variety of local bakeries—served up inside our small business storefronts.


Learn more
 

Neighborhood Services

Giddings Plaza Summer Concert Series


The Summer Concert Series, Lincoln Square's favorite free summer event, returns once again for a limited run! Swing by Giddings Plaza between 6:00pm - 8:30pm (weather permitting) to hear the sweet sounds of local Chicago musicians.


  • June 11 - Los Perros Cubanos
  • June 18 - The StingRays
  • June 25 - Nikki O'Neill Band


Enjoy beer and wine for purchase from the event's local vendor, Ricochet's Tavern.


Learn more

Lane Tech Girls Flag Football Camp


Registration is now open for the Lane Tech Girls Flag Football Summer Camp, offering separate training sessions for Middle School and High School athletes. Camp will focus on skill development, gameplay fundamentals, conditioning, and team-building in a fun and competitive environment. 


Learn more

For Adults: Summer at Chicago Public Libraries


Miss summer reading programs at the public library? Did you know Chicago Public Libraries has an adult summer program? Just complete six activities, fill out your sheet, and turn it in for a free baseball hat. Here are some of the activities taking place at nearby libraries:


  • CHIRP Radio Tour
  • Lincoln Square's Community Spaces Tour
  • Improv for Adults with Second City
  • Arcade History Tour
  • Chicago Barn Dance: Then and Now


Learn more

Small Business

Del Sur Expanding


Coming soon: shorter lines for delicious Del Sur pastries! The bakery is expanding into an adjacent space to increase production and add a small seating area.


In the meantime, expect Del Sur to close on June 15th in order for construction to take place. They're planning to reopen sometime in July.


Learn more

Mezcal Class at Platform 47

Friday, June 5th


You're invited to join an introductory Mezcal class with woman-owned Mezcal brand Lucy Pistolas! Beverage educator Linda Sullivan will be behind the bar mixing up magic — including the Caboozy Lucy — while guiding you through why mezcal is so much more than the smoky reputation it gets.


Learn more

Resources


Business


Workforce


  • Japanese American Service Committee Seeks Interns, Learn more
  • Pilgrim Lutheran School Athletic Director, Learn more
  • Social Services Career Trainee, Learn more
  • Cook County Assessor Hiring, Learn more
 

Sustainability

Urban Flooding Workshop

Thursday, June 18th


Curious where your clean drinking water comes from, or why your street floods during heavy rain?


Join us at Sulzer Library on June 18th at 6pm to learn more about Chicago's water infrastructure and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. In partnership with MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis' office, come learn the basic ins-and-outs of storm and waste water management here in Chicago. 


Learn more

Microplastics in Lake Michigan


Water tested in Lake Michigan and the Chicago River reveal microplastics in all samples. Clothing fibers and plastic food containers are among the largest contributors to plastics in our waterways. Alderman Martin recently introduced an ordinance to phase out single use plastics used by city departments, and our office will be hosting a meeting to discuss plastic use later in July.


Learn more

Higher Electricity Bills this Summer


Once again, residents should expect higher electricity bills this summer. ComEd's summer rate will be 50% higher than two years ago. Increased prices are driven by data centers, expiring clean energy tax credits, and slow connections of renewable energy sources to the grid, operated by a regional utility supplier, separate from ComEd.


Please keep in mind that utility assistance exists for income eligible households. Please reach out to the South East Asia Center (5120 N Broadway) with assistance to apply.


Learn more

Safety

Airbag Theft Prevention


Attention Honda Owners: Airbag thefts are on the rise primarily targeting Honda vehicles. The police department recommends using steering wheel locks to protect your vehicle.


In addition, you can take steps to be sure you're parked in well lit areas and that your vehicle alarms work.


Learn more

Construction

Western Brown Line Construction


CDOT continues addressing their final touches required for project completion.


The CTA Western Brown Line modernization work continues as scheduled. To install new flooring, the station will be closed from June 12th at 10pm to June 15th at 4am. The CTA is scheduling shuttle busses. We will share those details as soon as we receive them.


Sign up for Updates

Ashland Resurfacing


The Ashland Arterial Resurfacing project is progressing as scheduled. Milling has started between Foster and Lawrence. Milling from Lawrence to Montrose is expected to begin early next week. Signs restricting parking will go up in advance of milling and will be in place for 10 - 14 days as both milling and repaving occur. Parking will be restricted on week days from 6am to 4:30pm.


Concrete work from Lawrence to Montrose is expected to be completed early next week at which point all sidewalks and crosswalks will be reopened to pedestrians. 


Sign up for Updates

This Year: Upcoming Projects


  • Water Main Replacement near Leavitt and Lawrence
  • People's Gas Projects on Greenview from Roscoe to Grace
 
Community Board

This Week

Next Week

Future 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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