Ald. Bennett Lawson

08/13/2024

Please be aware of the Green Day concert happening tonight, 08/13, at Wrigley Field. For a list of other events happening at Wrigley Field, please see this link:

Upcoming concerts at Wrigley Field

08/08/2024

This weekend, our neighborhood is filled with excitement for both Northalsted Market Days and the Chicago Air & Water Show. Market Days will bring live entertainment, food, and vendors to Halsted from Belmont to Addison—please be mindful of parking restrictions in the area.

Please remember our office will be closing early tomorrow at 12pm!

Earlier today, I had the privilege of supporting a naturalization ceremony at Wrigley Field, where 981 people from 97 countries became American citizens. As the husband of an immigrant, this was a particularly meaningful event for me. Immigrants are essential to the lifeblood of our community, and it was an honor to witness them achieve this milestone.

In public safety news, Willie Wright, who is charged with aggravated battery, was released on electronic monitoring after his hearing this past Monday. His next court date is September 23rd. We will continue to monitor this case closely.

On Tuesday, we hosted a public meeting about the proposed development at 925 W Belmont. Thank you to everyone who joined us, asked questions, and engaged in the discussion. If you haven't yet, please take a moment to share your thoughts in our post-meeting survey.

As moving season continues, we’re partnering with the Chicago Furniture Bank to encourage donations of unused items. Additionally, Honest Junk Company, the only 501(c)(3) junk removal company in Chicagoland, supports the Furniture Bank's mission by donating usable items to charity partners.

Lastly, mark your calendars for our annual Senior Picnic on Thursday, September 5th, from 11am to 1pm at Oakdale and Lake Shore Drive. Join us for an afternoon of music, lunch, and raffle prizes! Please RSVP by calling our office at (773) 525-6034.

To sign up for future newsletters, head to 44thward.org/news/newsletter

To see the full newsletter from today, click here: https://mailchi.mp/4347c1930911/44th-ward-newsletter-february-23-10330849

08/07/2024

Please note that our office will be closing early at 12pm on Friday, August 9th 2024 for a Staff Development Day. We will reopen on Monday, August 12th at 9am.

08/06/2024

Join us for a community meeting on the 200-unit development at 925 W Belmont TONIGHT, August 6th, 6:00pm at the Olson Auditorium, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (836 W Wellington Ave.) Register and submit questions here (along with an online option): https://www.44thward.org/development/major-development-projects/925-w-belmont-2/

To join the meeting virtually, use this Teams link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19*3ameeting_NjA3OTlkYTgtM2I2NS00OTRjLTk2NjMtZmU5MzAwYmUxODRl*40thread.v2/0?context=*7b*22Tid*22*3a*22991ba2ea-1d0b-40b6-a6f1-9fb2f78a7d5e*22*2c*22Oid*22*3a*22c6203650-9fcb-40b2-a359-49c6bf2278c7*22*7d__;JSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUl!!B24N9PvjPQId!adaUAwdmyt0pQ1MxZ5YyHd6C9Limq2EoOg3HFiBE1xh9l9eq30apX6Q0VdV0X55dYaIfZhm8jrcX4km5hONLm4XO$

925 W. Belmont Please join us Tuesday, August 6th for a public meeting at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Olson Auditorium, 836 W Wellington Ave 6:00pm (register and submit questions here).   Please see below a timeline of our office’s community engagement and local news coverage on thi...

08/02/2024

Today marks my 20th anniversary working for the City of Chicago and serving the 44th Ward. From starting as a staffer to becoming Alderman in 2023, it's been an honor to serve our community. Much has changed since 2004, but my commitment to you remains steadfast.

Our court advocacy program is tracking the case of Willie Wright, arrested in April for aggravated battery. His next hearing is Monday at 9:30am at the Skokie Courthouse. You can attend via Zoom.

I recently joined CPD to honor Aramis, 'Youth of the Year' at our local Boys & Girls Club. Aramis plans to study electrical engineering at UIUC. His leadership is inspiring.

Thanks to the Park District for responding to our request to remove weeds at Diversey Harbor. We hope this helps everyone enjoy the beautiful waterfront views.

With summer in full swing, we've seen many shared bikes and scooters scattered around. Companies must remove them within 2 hours of a 311 request. Click the links in our newsletter to report scooters and Divvy bikes. Your help keeps our neighborhood clean.

The 'Better Streets for Buses' initiative has upgraded 90 bus stops for accessibility, installed 40+ bus bump-outs, and enhanced 130 intersections with transit signal priority. These improvements benefit Halsted, Inner Lake Shore Drive, and Lake Shore Drive in our ward.

If you would like to see this week's full newsletter, click here: https://mailchi.mp/df459cabb7fd/44th-ward-newsletter-february-23-10330697

To sign up for the Ward newsletter, please head to: https://www.44thward.org/news/newsletter/

07/26/2024

Dear Neighbors,

I’m excited to announce the opening of Istmo, a new Mexican restaurant serving Oaxacan cuisine at 3231 N Clark, led by Executive Chef Carlos López Muñoz. Please check it out and support local businesses.

Thank you to the Southport Neighbors Association for their native plantings at Waveland and Racine. Your efforts help beautify our community.

We continue to advocate for public safety. Leon Jackson pled guilty to property damage and received 18 months in prison. Jarrod Barnes faces stricter pre-trial conditions for graffitiing a sw****ka on Nettelhorst School.

Join the 19th Police District's Catalytic Converter Marking Day on August 10th. Register to get your vehicle's catalytic converter marked and receive a free anti-theft steering wheel lock.

The Democratic National Convention's safety plan for August 19-22 has been released. Check the maps and details to stay informed about restricted perimeters near McCormick Place and the United Center.

The Redefine the Drive task force unveiled a proposal for North Side DuSable Lake Shore Drive. While green space is included, I am concerned about public transit accessibility and pedestrian safety. More details needed before support.

Stay safe and have a great weekend.

Alderman Bennett Lawson

P.S. For our full weekly newsletter, head to: https://mailchi.mp/59e55a26cd17/44th-ward-newsletter-february-23-10330560

To sign up for the 44th Ward Newsletter, check out: https://www.44thward.org/news/newsletter/

Dear Neighbors, I am excited to share some culinary news with our community. Be sure to check out Istmo, a new Mexican restaurant serving Oaxacan cuisine that opened this week at 3231 N Clark. It is led by Executive Chef Carlos López Muñoz, who brings experience working in Michelin-starred re...

07/23/2024

Our office will be hosting 1:1 property tax reassessment help sessions at our Ward office next Monday, July 29th from 10am-2:30pm. If you would like to sign up for a time slot, please reach out to our office by email or phone.

07/22/2024

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Southport Art Fest and Dine Out on Broadway. It was wonderful to see our community come together to enjoy art, food, and each other's company. Thank you to the Southport Neighbors Association and Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce for organizing these fantastic events.

A reminder that free anti-theft car steering wheel locks are available at the 19th District police station at 850 W Addison. Supplies are limited. The next hearing for Jarrod Barnes, accused of graffitiing a sw****ka, is on July 24th at 9:30am in the Skokie Courthouse.

I am proud to co-sponsor the 'hate littering' ordinance with Alderman Timmy Knudsen. This ordinance, which passed this week, imposes fines up to $1,000 for distributing hateful or threatening fliers. Hate has no place in Lakeview or anywhere in Chicago.

At the Zoning Committee, we deferred the Additional Dwelling Unit ordinance for a future session but obtained final approval for our nominees to the Zoning Board of Appeals. I remain committed to creating affordable housing and economic opportunities.

Our summer interns visited City Council to experience the legislative process firsthand. They showed great patience during a five-hour session. We are hosting an open meeting on August 6th for the proposed 200-unit development at 925 W Belmont. Details are on our website.

New pedestrian countdowns will be installed at Belmont and Sheffield to improve safety, with work expected to be completed next week. Additionally, property tax reassessment seminars will be held on July 29th. Contact our office for appointments.

To see our full newsletter from Friday, click here: https://mailchi.mp/2fd38868336a/44th-ward-newsletter-february-23-10330360

To sign up for the 44th Ward's weekly newsletter, click here: https://www.44thward.org/news/newsletter/

07/15/2024

CHIBIZ Alert: Steve Miller Band at Wrigley Field begins at 430p today due to weather; Journey begins at 530p, Def Leppard at 715p; expect additional traffic.

07/15/2024

With the incoming thunderstorms and high wind speeds tonight, please make sure to secure your outdoor furniture to ensure you and your neighbors are safe.

Please also be aware of a Flood Watch and Storm warnings at 6pm due to rainfall.

07/15/2024

If you see small tree debris and branches from last night’s storm please email my office ([email protected]) with photos and an address, or submit to 311 with the category "Tree Debris Clean-Up"

311.chicago.gov/s/service-request

If an entire tree has fallen, contact us ASAP.

Have you downloaded our CHI311 mobile app? Create new requests, explore requests in other neighborhoods, and track requests you submit. Available for download now.

07/12/2024

Dear neighbors,

I hope you had a fantastic Fourth of July! This weekend, enjoy the final weekend of Dine Out on Broadway and the Southport Art Fest, showcasing arts, live performances, and kid-friendly activities. Note the street closures for these events.

Our 19th District police are giving away free anti-theft car steering wheel locks at the station on 850 W Addison. Also, please fill out our public safety survey regarding the Pride parade incidents to voice your feedback.

Excited to announce new small businesses in our ward: Crave Cookies at 2951 N Broadway, Little Village Cafe at 2845 N Broadway, and Steingold's Bagels and Nosh at 3630 N Clark.

With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Select Cut after 30 wonderful years. They will be open through the end of July, so please stop by and support this beloved local business.

Thank you to the 600+ residents who responded to our survey on the proposed development at 925 W Belmont. Join us for a public meeting on August 6th at 6:00pm at the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center to share your thoughts.

CDOT is installing 'scooter corrals' in our ward starting July 15th to organize e-scooter drop-offs. These zones are along Clark between Addison and Cornelia, and Halsted between Newport and Buckingham.

For this week’s full newsletter, head to https://mailchi.mp/ccdb6af52e5b/44th-ward-newsletter-february-23-10330230

Please consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter at 44thward.org/news/newsletter/

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07/10/2024

Hi neighbors! Dine Out on Broadway will be taking place this weekend starting on Friday at 3pm until Sunday at 10pm. Come enjoy open streets and expanded patios (and keep in mind alternative bus/car routes)! For more info on Dine Out, visit

Dine Out On Broadway Returns for the 2024 Season! Dine Out On Broadway is Returning For It's Fifth Season Sunglasses, carafes of mimosas, SPF, and patio season, our feature summer event is back for the 2024 Season! Started in 2020 to help

07/09/2024

Dear Neighbors,

Please fill out this survey regarding incidents after the Pride Parade: https://tinyurl.com/Pride2024Survey

For more information on our response, please check out last week's newsletter here: https://tinyurl.com/44thNewsJul3

07/01/2024

The Pride Parade yesterday was a safe and wonderful celebration of our diverse LGBTQ+ community, and it was such a joy to see so many people come out to show their support in the fight for equality.

Following the Parade’s conclusion, I was extremely disappointed to see partying and disruptive actions in our neighborhood into the early morning hours. I am grateful to the Chicago Police Department for their quick and decisive action to limit any damage and keep people safe, and to the Streets and Sanitation Department for their great work to clean our neighborhood. I look forward to meeting with City departments and stakeholders in the coming days to discuss how we can continue to improve the Parade for participants, attendees and neighbors, and prevent these disturbing actions from occurring in the future.

06/28/2024

I hope everyone has a safe and festive Pride Parade on Sunday! Remember to stay hydrated and have fun. More information on the Parade and our office's work this week can be found in my newsletter:

With the Pride Parade this Sunday, June 30th, we want to ensure everyone has the information they need to enjoy the festivities. Maps of the parade route, medical facilities, cooling centers, pedestrian crossing sites, CTA reroutes, and parking restrictions are available on our website here. Please...

06/07/2024

I’m proud to join together with my fellow alderpeople to call on the Illinois Department of Transportation to revise their current plans for North Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive to ensure it’s reflective of the diverse transit needs of Chicagoans across the city. This project should prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users, recreationalists, and all residents so we can build a safer, cleaner future for Chicago.

BikeGridNow: https://bikegridnow.org/dlsd-redesign-press-release/

Chicago Tribune: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/06/07/opinion-chicago-lakeshore-drive-project-pedestrians-mass-transit/

06/07/2024

Tomorrow is Alderman Bennett Lawson’s 2nd Annual Kids Bike Parade! Join us on Saturday, June 8th at 9am for a bike parade from Belmont to Wellington, with light refreshments and fun!

06/04/2024

Join us for a free workshop about state and federal incentives available for Illinois residents who transition to using clean energy in their homes. RSVP Here: bit.ly/lakeviewcleanheat

05/30/2024

Ready to roll, Chicago! Join us for Alderman Bennett Lawson’s 2nd Annual Kids Bike Parade on Saturday, June 8th at 9am.

Helmets are a must, decorated bikes encouraged, and refreshments provided - let's pedal our way to fun!

05/24/2024

Please see below for yesterday’s statement in my newsletter on CTA leadership:

05/20/2024

May 15th marks the one-year anniversary of my swearing in as Alderman of the 44th Ward. If you missed it in our last newsletter, here's our Year in Review.

Take a look at some pictures from the last year here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1INZANC8xuQRYZq9OOzyVJNSEY1gGSEIB

05/07/2024

Thank you to the CTA for doing a deep clean of our Belmont station, and installing additional features to prevent pigeons from landing in the station.

04/26/2024

Please don't forget to sign up for our 44th Ward newsletter for further details and a more in-depth look at our Ward every week. You can sign up here: http://44thward.org/news/newsletter

You can read the full newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/3b426b7b8179/44th-ward-newsletter-february-23-10321060

As we enter the last week of April, my staff and I are wrapping up our annual street cleaning tradition of shoveling each curb in the ward. Thank you to each and every resident who lent a hand, and please keep an eye on your drains throughout the year to ensure the cleanliness of the 44th Ward’s s...

04/23/2024

Please see below for my statement on events that transpired last night in Lakeview. For a description/further details, see this link: https://home.chicagopolice.org/cpd-community-alert-wanted-for-attempted-criminal-sexual-assault-19th-district-town-hall/

04/22/2024

This Monday evening marks the beginning of Passover, which celebrates the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. Chag Pesach Sameach to all of those who celebrate!

04/22/2024

I am heartbroken by the senseless killing of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca over the weekend. Just two days shy of his 31st birthday, Officer Huesca represented the best of our city. My thoughts are with his family, loved ones and fellow officers as they process this loss.

04/17/2024

Our systems are back online!

04/17/2024

Unfortunately our systems are currently down and we are unable to fill requests for parking passes at this time. We will update you when we are back online!

04/16/2024

See below our office’s statement on a recent hate crime incident in the 44th Ward: