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July 20, 2025
Dear neighbors,
I hope everyone’s property survived the storms this week, please report to our office or 311 if you have any problematic downed trees.
I had a great time at the Chinatown 5K on Saturday, the event sold out early and we had a large crowd filling the neighborhood! The race route is a fun way to see Chinatown from a different perspective and to highlight the neighborhood. Thanks to everyone who came out and made it a success.
The annual block party fundraising event at Shinnick’s in support of the Nina Mastro Foundation, which raises money in honor of Bridgeporter Nina Mastro, was held this weekend. Many thanks to all those who supported the event to honor Nina's memory.
This upcoming Saturday and Sunday is the annual Chinatown Summer Fair, which features not only food, art, and lion dancers, but the very special 4th Annual “Copi Fish Ball” eating contest! For those keeping track, “copi” is the rebranded name for “Asian Carp” or “Grass Carp,” an invasive fish in the Great Lakes. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was behind the fish rebrand, in an attempt to get more people to eat copi since it’s so abundant. AFusion restaurant at 35th and Morgan is the only restaurant in the city with a dedicated menu section to Illinois copi, so you don’t have to go far if you want to try it.
This Week In City Council
This week in the City Council we passed a resolution honoring Asian American community activist Tuyet Le. I've spoken about her legacy in this newsletter before, and it was important to memorialize her work and contributions in the official record of the City of Chicago.
The SNAP curfew measure which I supported was defeated this week as the council failed to override Mayor Brandon Johnson’s veto with the necessary 34 votes. While this could have been a useful public safety tool, at least the conversation around the ordinance shed more light on how CPD has been handling potentially violent “teen takeovers” and how we can deal with the issue going forward more effectively in the ward.
Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight
We passed a measure that would increase the ability of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to effectively do its job, and would clarify some issues that have come up between the Department of Law and the OIG in the course of its investigations under current Inspector Deborah Witzburg, such as having issues entering a “gift room” maintained by the Mayor. This ordinance has gone through lots of revisions so far, with a complex set of issues to navigate surrounding the law.
Committee on Zoning
A measure to allow more Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) and granny flats was passed out of the Zoning Committee this week, and although it still has to come before the City Council, this is a potentially big zoning change if it were to pass. The full City Council vote was deferred till the next meeting, as we are still negotiating some important changes to the ordinance. As written, when it passed out of committee I would not have voted for it. Among my concerns were the absence of any opportunity for alders or neighbors to weigh in on ADUs for single family homes, clarity on how existing coach houses fit into limits, and the path to compliance for illegal conversions. I’m hopeful that new changes that address these concerns will allow me to be comfortable voting yes, as it could help create more housing options, ensure the safety of illegal conversions, and lower housing costs in our community and citywide, which we certainly need.
Upcoming in City Council
The City Council takes a recess for the month of August, the next full meeting of the City Council will be September 25, 2025 at 10AM. Committee meetings are also on recess for August. More time in the ward!
Public Safety
The Chinatown Beat community meeting is this Wednesday, 6:30-7:30PM at the Chinatown Library. Coming to a Beat meeting is a great way to stay involved in your community and meet your neighbors, providing us all with a safer neighborhood!
Around the Ward
Graffiti & Sign Issues
Graffiti and bent signs continue to pop up around the ward. Please help keep our community clean and safe by reporting graffiti and bent street signs. You can do so through the 311 app, emailing our office or calling us at 773-254-6677. Please provide our office with the location of the graffiti (an address is best) and what it’s on (building, fence, sign, etc).
Farmers Market Season
Farmers market season is underway—more info can be found here. Although we don’t have a Bridgeport farmer’s market right now, we do have the monthly Ramova Theater Community Market.
Infrastructure updates
A new sewer improvement project will begin on July 28 to upgrade critical infrastructure in our community. Work will take place in the following areas:
- S Canal St: from W 31st St to W 33rd St
- W 33rd St: from S Canal St to S Normal Ave
- S Normal Ave: from W 33rd St to 50 feet south of W 33rd St
- W 33rd St: from S Emerald Ave to S Wallace St
Construction is expected to be completed by November 2025. Please note: No parking or through traffic will be allowed during working hours (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM). Once the sewer main installation is complete, Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) work will follow in the same areas.
Housekeeping
Stockyards Post Office - Ongoing Closure
The Stockyards Post Office remains closed. USPS gave our office the approximate reopening date of June 2025, but we have yet to hear back about any updated timelines.
35th Street Parking Changes
Time restrictions have been removed to now allow residents to park along 35th Street throughout the day between Ashland and Western.
White Sox and Event Residential Parking decals and passes
Decals and passes are available for pickup at the ward office.
Signs Available in Office
We have “We Call Police” signs available in the office.
Summer Hours
We are operating with Summer Hours until August 29, 2025. On Fridays during the summer we are open 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
Have a first-class week ahead,
Nicole
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