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Hi neighbors,


On Monday, the City Council's Police and Fire Committee approved an ordinance I introduced that directs the Chicago Police Department to create a workforce allocation study. This study would make district-specific staffing recommendations that take into account the frequency, locations, and types of calls for service, as well as department-wide staffing levels and 911 response times. In addition, the study would resemble analyses completed by San Diego, San Francisco, and Houston, and would be updated at least annually so that CPD can adjust staffing decisions accordingly. And it would fulfill a requirement within the federal consent decree that CPD develop a data-driven staffing model. 


I hope that the full City Council will give the proposal final approval later this month, and want to thank 19th Police District Councilors Maurilio Garcia, Jenny Schaffer, and Sam Schoenberg for their collaboration on this important issue.


Earlier this week, I met with Lissette Castañeda, the new Commissioner of our City's Department of Housing. We discussed her decades of work in affordable housing development, as well as opportunities to expand the existing accessory dwelling unit (ADU) pilot, which removes restrictions on the ability to build basement units and coach houses on residential property. I also had a lively and wide-ranging conversation with Cub Scouts from Pack 3865 that touched upon street repaving, a potential new Bears stadium, and the world-renowned Chicago Rat Hole!


Yesterday, I toured a large shelter for new arrivals located at the corner of Irving Park and Marine Drive. Approximately 1,300 people currently live there, the vast majority of whom are families with young children. Shelter staff and I discussed ongoing efforts to help the residents apply for work authorization permits, find permanent housing, and access health care. My thanks to the scores of volunteers who continue to help new arrivals in and near our community secure clothing, diapers, and infant formula.


I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend. If you're looking for something to do in connection with the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday, the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce has compiled a wonderful list of offerings and activities for your viewing pleasure. 


Yours in service,

Government Services and Information

Our office will be closed on Monday, 2/12

The results are in! Thank you to everyone who voted in our Participatory Budget process, and our fearless leaders in Youth Council for leading this project. I am looking forward to seeing these projects come to life.

RSVP here!

Join Youth Council, Commuters Take Action and Sen. Simmons for presentations on environmentalism and transportation. Attendees will hear about current policies, and how to get involved in advocating for green transit options. Sign up HERE!

The deadline to run for your Local School Council (LSC) has been extended to Wednesday, February 14 at 3:00 p.m

Support New Neighbors

Chicago continues to see an increase in the number of migrants seeking asylum, many of whom have been transported via bus or plane from Texas at the direction of Gov. Abbott. Alongside local faith communities, neighbors have been organizing support for migrants If you are able to volunteer or contribute to this effort, please consider one or more of the following:

  1. Monetary Donations. Donations are being collected to continue to purchase immediate needs for our new neighbors, including prescription medicine. If you are able to contribute, please do so here.
  2. Volunteer Support. The 19th District Mutual Aid Network is looking for those who are able to volunteer in any capacity. If you are able to do so, please sign up here.
  3. Physical Donations. We are still looking for targeted donations for our new neighbors, especially small, umbrella-type strollers or any that fold down small. No large jogging strollers please. You can find the full list of items and location for drop-off here.


Quick Links


47th Ward Help Desk


Chicago Summer Events


Free Tax Prep Services


Park District Survey


CHI 311 website


ChiStreetWork Construction Portal


My CHI My Future App

 

Sulzer Library Events


COVID-19 Response Center


Business Education Workshops


Chicago Data Portal


City Clerk's office - permit parking and city sticker


Mental Health Information


Recycle by City - Chicago


Resources for renters


Senior services


Senior sewer rebate and exemption


Small Business Center

Public Safety Updates

Community Alert

The 19th Police District has issued a community alert regarding recent robberies near the 47th Ward. See below for further information:

2024 CAPS Beat Meetings Schedule

The schedule for the 2024 CAPS Beat Meetings in the 19th District have been updated. You can find the full schedule by beat here.

Construction Updates and Traffic Notices

You can view a list of major ongoing projects in the ward mapped out at aldermanmartin.com/infrastructure. To receive regular updates on any of those major construction projects, or to share questions and concerns, please email josh@aldermanmartin.com. If you want to find more information about smaller scale construction projects happening near you, consult our Help Desk.

4715 N. Western - Traffic Disruption

The Department of Water Management is digging in Western Ave to install a new water line for the affordable development under construction at 4715 N. Western. The work, which is expected to last several weeks, is taking up one northbound lane on Western Ave. Crews need to dig, lay the pipe, backfill, then patch the street.

Claremont, Cullom Street Light Replacement

Contractors are installing brand new streetlight poles on Claremont (from Cullom to Montrose) and on Cullom (from Claremont to Western). New poles will include pedestrian “piggyback” lights to illuminate sidewalks and will be placed in an alternating pattern on either side of the street to provide light to both sidewalks. Crews have completed underground work and will now start installing the new poles before taking down the old ones. Restoration work will be split between later February (for concrete) and this spring (for parkways).

Greenview/Cornelia Gas Main Replacement

Peoples Gas has started work on replacing the gas main on Cornelia (Ashland to Lakewood) and Greenview (Grace to Roscoe), with some impact to adjacent blocks. This project will last about a year and primarily impact sidewalks. To view a recording of the virtual meeting our office hosted together with the 44th Ward, click here.

Small Business Spotlight

Stop by Falcon's Handcrafted Sandwiches at 1968 W. Lawrence for Super Bowl themed appetizers this weekend or a free dessert to go with your meal for Valentine's Day from Feb 14-18th! Owner Oscar has spent over 20 years working in restaurants and decided last year to use what he learned over the years to open a restaurant of his own in the Ward. Neighbors' current favorite is the Dirty Fried Chicken sandwich, and students and teachers get a special deal from 11am to 5pm M-F.

Have a businesses you want to see spotlighted? Submit it here: https://airtable.com/appQeF72v8Xfer2eh/shrSradrLghMQmArb

Community Board

Lincoln Square Pottery Studio - Learning Center presents its 7th annual Pottery of Protest exhibition. This show combines clay and activism in unique and thought-provoking ways. 


The Pottery of Protest show has always incorporated a fundraiser to help out local non-profits with meaningful causes. Beautiful hand-made mugs donated by the studio’s students go for sale as part of the event (and get filled with delicious hot beverages). One hundred percent of the money raised during the Buy-A-Cup Benefit will again go to a chosen organization in 2024. This year’s choice is The Chicago Furniture Bank. This thoughtful organization, established in 2018, collects and distributes home furnishings to those struggling with poverty in the city, as well as keeping tons of furniture waste out of landfills.


Please join us Saturday, February 24th (5-9pm) at 4150 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, to celebrate freedom of creative expression, as well as honoring local organizations that serve those in need.

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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