City Council Update
Advisory Council Created for Lincoln Yards
Holiday Office Hours
Ward Night
Dear Neighbors,

While discussion of cannabis sales dominated the headlines about Wednesday’s City Council meeting, our work towards City Council reform continued. City Council passed my reform prohibiting Chicago elected officials from lobbying other jurisdictions and other elected officials from lobbying the Chicago government. This practice, which is at the root of much of the corruption allegations currently under investigation in our State, will now be illegal in Chicago.

I also introduced two ordinances this week of interest of our Ward:

Limiting Noise on Lake Shore Drive

I joined with other lakefront Aldermen in sponsoring an ordinance directing the Chicago Department of Transportation to install noise monitoring equipment along Lake Shore Drive. Our State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (12 th ) passed the State law authorizing such equipment. 

Techniques for measuring noise from moving vehicles is under development , and with this ordinance, we hope to be leaders in reducing the noise on Lake Shore Drive.

Mobile Boutiques

I also sponsored with the Mayor an ordinance to permanently allow mobile boutiques in Chicago. Working with the University of Chicago Law School Clinic on Entrepreneurship , to develop a proposed law to allow these boutiques to park on city streets for several hours at a time. Our ward hosted a successful mobile boutique fair, which brought foot traffic to Halsted Street as we press landlords to fill vacant stores. I support these small businesses, which use trucks to test ideas on their way to brick and mortar stores.  The Sun-Times reports.
Community Advisory Council Created for Lincoln Yards

The Lightfoot administration has announced the formation of a Community Advisory Council (CAC) for the Lincoln Yards project. The administration has stated that it will be forming such a council for the "78" project in the South Loop as well as future mega-developments. Crain's has more.

Our ward has said all along that large developments have impacts beyond ward boundaries. I appreciate the administration’s efforts to seek community voices in the final picture of Lincoln Yards. My reservations are that the success or failure of this advisory council depends heavily on the members who are selected. But we hope our community will have genuine input that was ignored under the prior administration.

As you know, the Lincoln Yards development was approved without a true public park. Please continue your support for the North Branch Park Preserve by volunteering or donating to join the effort for a true public benefit. Contact christina@northbranchpark.com.

Read the Mayor's Press Release about this council and please click here to apply to be part of the council. Here is the charter of the council.

Residential Electronic Recycling

Now it's easier than ever to recycle your household electronics at one of the City's recycling drop off centers. The Chicago Department of Health launched a Household Electronic Recycling Program at various locations throughout the city. The closest drop-off site near the 43rd ward is located at 1150 N. Branch St. on Goose Island. Hours are:

Tuesdays, 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Thursdays, 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
1st Saturday of every month: 8:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Purple Residential Parking Passes
 Expire December 31st

The purple residential parking passes will expire on December 31st, 2019 . The new 2020 yellow passes are available at the ward office and can be used now through 2020. Please finish using the purple passes through the end of the year as they cannot be refunded or exchanged.
Shared Cost Sidewalk Program
January 7, 2019
6:00 a.m.

The 2020 Program opens to new applicants on  January 7th, 2020 starting at 6:00 am and closes at 5:59 am on January 8th, 2020.

To apply, please use  the 311 Service Request Type : "Shared Cost Sidewalk Program Request."

The  Shared Cost Sidewalk Program  is a voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have been a part of this popular program, taking advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation. The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program cost per square foot charged to property owners is well below what a private contractor would charge. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify for a further discounted rate.

Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Early applications prior to the start of the program will not be accepted. The number of participants is based on availability of funds. The program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply early. Please note that if you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2020 if you wish to be considered for the 2020 program. The property owner’s contact information and the property’s complete address are required (first name, last name, address, city, zip, phone, and email address if available) at the time of request.
Chicago Women's March 2020
Saturday, January 18
11:00 a.m.
Grant Park, Chicago


Please join me at the Women's March 2020. As we prepare for the important primary elections, we march for the same issues that compelled women worldwide to insist on change beginning in 2017..

Women's Rights. Racial Justice. LGBTQ+ Rights. Equal Pay. Health Care. Immigrant Rights. Women's Reproductive Rights. Violence-Free Communities. Voting Rights. Impeachment. Mass Incarceration. Social Justice. Climate Change. Gun Violence Prevention. Disability Rights. Census 2020.

We will, as in past years, pull together a 43rd Ward Women's group to march together. Sign up here Bring your friends, family members, voices and signs, as we march through the streets of downtown, and let the world know that Chicago is at the forefront of change! Visit their Facebook page for details.

#MakeItCount
Community Events
Menorah Lighting at
Lincoln Common Plaza
Sunday, December 22
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Lincoln Common Plaza
2335 N. Lincoln

Lincoln Common and Belmont Village Senior Living will mark the first night of Hanukkah with the Festival of Lights, a family-friendly evening of activities. Guests will gather and enjoy lite bites at Belmont Village from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., then proceed to the Lincoln Common Plaza for the lighting of the menorah at 5:30 p.m.
The Greatest Hanukkah Festival
Sunday, December 29
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Menorah Lighting at 5:30 p.m.
New City Plaza
1457 N Halsted

Celebrate Hanukkah indoors and outdoors at New City Plaza for one night only. Enjoy live music, kosher food, circus fair activities, Hanukkah treats, Dreidel Express Train Rides, crafts and more.

For more details, click this link.
Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce
Holiday Guide
Through the Holidays

The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce has put together a holiday guide to help us navigate this eventful time of the year. Is ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo on your Holiday Must Do List? Download the 2019 Lincoln Park Holiday Visitors Guide to find useful information for parking and transit options, special local promotions, featured items at great shops, and restaurants in the area.

You can also check out the Lincoln Park Weekend Guide for more events.
Gold Coast Winter Membership Event
Sunday, January 12
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Walton Street Kitchen
912 N. State

Please join the Gold Coast Neighbors at their Winter membership event. Mingle with neighbors and find out what's happening in the neighborhood while enjoying appetizers and drinks. Admission is $20 for GCNA members and $25 for non-members. Admission is complimentary for a new member that signs up at the event.

To reserve your place,  click here  to register. For questions, please email  info@goldcoastneighbors.org , call 773-510-7327, or visit our website  www.goldcoastneighbors.org .
Holiday Office Hours and January 2020 Ward Night

Our office will have modified working hours during the holidays. Please see our holiday schedule below. We will resume with our regular hours on Thursday, January 2nd.

Our first ward night of 2020 will be on January 6th from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Please use calendly to sign up for ward night in advance. However, walk-ins are always welcome.

Monday, December 23 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 24th - Closed
Christmas Day - Closed
Thursday, December 26th - Closed
Friday, December 27th - 10:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Monday, December 30th 10:00 - 3:00 p.m
New Year's Eve 10:00 - 3:00 p.m.
New Year's Day Closed
Have and peaceful and bright holiday,






43rd Ward Office Hours: M - F 9 AM - 6 PM 
  2523 N Halsted  |  773-348-9500 yourvoice@ward43.org www.ward43.org