07/30/2026
From the 44th Ward July 30th Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cityofchicago/44th-ward-newsletter-july-30
Dear Neighbors,
Last weekend, I joined Funny You Should Care at Second City as part of their Steps to Better Housing: A Comedy Show On Why We Should Modernize Our Housing Codes series. As a city, we need to look closely at how we can create more housing opportunities across Chicago, including updating outdated policies that make it harder to build the kinds of homes people are looking for today. We the impact of this work last year with the expansion of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and are now continuing the conversation through with single-stair reform. Whether it's expanding ADUs, creating more missing-middle housing or modernizing our building code, practical reforms can help more Chicagoans afford to stay in the city, strengthen our neighborhoods, and support Chicago's continued growth. A big thank you to Funny You Should Care for putting together a thoughtful and entertaining show — and for making building code reform fun!
I'm excited to welcome FARE (614 W Diversey) to the neighborhood. FARE is a cafe and restaurant built on the belief that fast food can also be real food. With quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and plenty of flavor. Be sure to stop by and check them out!
This week, there was an important community discussion about the expansion of the Crisis Assistance & Response Engagement (CARE) Program. I have been a longtime supporter of CARE and was glad to see the program citywide this past spring. CARE offers an important alternative to a traditional 911 response for people experiencing a mental health crisis by dispatching a behavioral health professional and an EMT to eligible calls. CARE teams are trained to conduct on-site mental health assessments, provide crisis de-escalation and brief counseling, and connect residents to ongoing mental health care and social services. As budget season approaches, I will continue advocating for the investments needed to strengthen and sustain this critical program.
This weekend, there are two free, family-friendly movie screenings in the ward. On Saturday, August 8, ELIO will be shown at Margaret Donahue Park as part of the Chicago Park District's Movies in the Parks series, and on Sunday, August 9 Central Lake View Neighbors' Movies in the Park returns with Zootopia 2 at Hawthorne School.
We are partnering with State Rep. Croke and State Sen. Feigenholtz's offices on a back-to-school supply drive. Donations of new or gently used school supplies can be dropped off at the 44th Ward office through August 14. Collected items will be distributed to children in need by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. For questions or additional information, contact [email protected] or call 773-348-8974.
The City's Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights (CIRR) is hosting several virtual events to discuss recent ICE activity and changes to immigration policy. On Tuesday, August 11 from 1-2 p.m. CIRR will host a virtual immigration briefing on recent legal and policy changes and their impact on Chicagoans. You can register for the briefing here. CIRR will also host two additional information sessions on the recent increase in ICE activity, what residents should expect, and how families can prepare. The sessions will cover recent enforcement trends, the importance of knowing your rights during traffic stops, and how to plan for short-term guardianship of your children in event of detention or deportation. The first information session will be held in English on Tuesday, August 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. The second will be held in Spanish on Tuesday, August 18 from 6-7:30 p.m. Register for the information session here. Our Ward Office also has whistles, signs, and additional Know Your Rights information available.
Last weekend, the annual Southport Ikebana Walk brough art and culture to the neighborhood. Organized by SSA #17 and the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber, the event featured Ikenobo and Ohara Ryu floral arrangements, avant-garde calligraphy, ink paintings, and origami across 20 Southport Corridor venues with support from the Japanese Culture Center and the Japanese Arts Foundation. The walk also honored Lakeview’s rich history as the historic epicenter of Chicago’s Japanese and Japanese American community. Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu to everyone who attended, supported local businesses, and helped celebrate this vibrant cultural tradition in the ward.
As a reminder, Market Days returns next weekend on August 7-9. Halsted will be closed to vehicle traffic, with no access to surface parking lots or parking garages from 7 a.m. on Friday, August 7 until 8 a.m. on Monday, August 10. For more information about street closures and parking restrictions, you can visit the Northalsted Business Alliance's website here.
The Cubs will be home for two back-to-back series taking on the Yankees and the Dodgers from Friday, July 31 through Thursday, August 6. Please note that the Cubs vs. Yankees game scheduled for August 1st has been moved to 6:15 p.m. for a national FOX broadcast.
Lollapalooza is underway downtown and runs through Sunday, August 2. You can stay up to date on public safety alerts, transit disruptions, and other important information by texting 'CHIBIZ' to 67283 or signing up for City alerts here.
As we head into the weekend, another round of storms is possible. While the ward was spared widespread downed branches during the storms earlier this week, several streets experienced drainage issues. The following day, I joined our Ward Superintendent to help clear debris blocking drains. If you see any downed branches or debris affecting streets or sidewalks this weekend, please report them to 311 so we can help keep our public spaces clean and safe.
Next Friday, August 7, my office will be closing at 1 p.m. for a staff development day. We will reopen at 9 a.m. on Monday, August 10.
Have a great weekend,
Alderman Bennett Lawson
