18th District - Alert of Armed Robberies
Office Closure for Memorial Day
Community Presentation Re: 61-65 E Banks 
Dear Neighbor,

The 18th District Police have issued a community alert about several recently reported armed robberies, possibly by the same group of offenders. In each of the incidents, the offenders approach the victims, produce a handgun, and forcibly demand property from the victims and threaten them if they don't comply. The offenders were seen fleeing in a silver vehicle during one incident. All of the incidents have occurred within Beat 1812.
  • 2300 block of N Halsted Street, Monday, May 22nd from 10:15-10:30 PM.
  • 600 block of W Webster Avenue, Monday, May 22nd at 10:15 PM.
  • 700 block of W Dickens Avenue, Tuesday, May 23rd at 3:35 PM.
  • 600 block of W Webster Avenue, Tuesday, May 23rd at 10:22 PM.
  • 500 block of W Belden Avenue, Tuesday, May 23rd at 10:48 PM.
  • 500 block of W Fullerton Parkway, Tuesday, May 23rd at 10:56 PM.
The offenders are described as 4 male African-Americans between 17-20 years of age, with heights ranging from 5'02" - 6'04", and weighing 160-185 lbs.

The 18th District has assured us that they have increased patrols to respond to these incidents. They are working with the university to distribute safety flyers. Beat officers will also be distributing flyers in the community. The investigation is currently in progress.

If you have any information, in particular surveillance footage in any of these areas, please contact Bureau of Detectives - Area Central at 312-747-8380. 

What you can do:
  • Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • If confronted by an assailant, remain calm.
  • Remember any unique physical characteristics (scars, tattoos, acne, etc).
  • Call 911 immediately and provide a detailed description of any suspicious people including any vehicle and license plate information

Memorial Day Office Closure

In observance of Memorial Day, our office will close at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 26th  and will re-open at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, May 30th.

If you have a need for city services, please call 3-1-1 for non-emergency requests, or dial 9-1-1 if you require immediate assistance.

Community Presentation for Proposed Redevelopment at 61-65 E Banks Street

Join my office and the Gold Coast Neighbors Association for a community meeting regarding a revised development proposal for 61 - 65 E Banks Street, located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Banks Street and Inner Lake Shore Drive.

The applicant is seeking a Planned Development designation for this site, which is currently a surface parking lot. The proposal seeks to construct an 8-story, 58-unit structure approximately 115 feet in height and containing a mixture of two and three bedroom units, an underground parking structure that will house up to 68 valet parking spaces for residential use, 58 on-site bicycle parking spaces as well and rooftop amenities.

Unlike a prior proposal for this site, the current proposal calls for the entire parking requirement to be housed on-site, as well as expanded bike parking, a re-imagined green rooftop with screening of the rooftop mechanical equipment and upgraded equipment to mitigate noise disturbances from the HVAC equipment.

My office will be present at this meeting to monitor the discussion, take notes, and record your feedback.

WHAT: Redevelopment Proposal for 61 -  65 E Banks Street

WHO: Hosted by Alderman Michele Smith and Gold Coast Neighbors Association

WHEN: Tuesday, May 30th at 6:30 PM

WHERE: Chicago History Museum, Auditorium, 1601 N Clark Street

I hope you can join my office and the Gold Coast Neighbors Association to engage in a direct dialogue with the development team to gain a better understanding of this proposal and obtain answers to any questions the community may have.

In the meantime, if my office can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at [email protected] or at (773) 348-9500. In addition, for status updates on the proposal please visit my website at www.ward43.org.

Neighbor's Night with DePaul University School of Music

Enjoy a night of jazz with the DePaul University School of Music's Jazz Ensembles tomorrow, May 25th from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM at the DePaul Student Center, 2250 N Sheffield Avenue Room 102. Admission is free but RSVPs are requested.

Weekend Happenings

Check out the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce's  weekend guide  here for 
Thursday, May 25th through Sunday, May 28th .

Chicago's Memorial Day Parade

Chicago's Memorial Day Parade honoring all men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country begins at noon on Saturday, May 27th on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren, with a wreath laying ceremony beginning at 11:00 AM. Visit here for more details on the event and parade route.

MB Bike the Drive 2017

MB Bike the Drive will be taking place o n Sunday, May 28th between 5:00 AM and 11:00 AM and will temporarily close Lake Shore Drive from W Hollywood Avenue to E 57th Street. MB Bike the Drive is one of the nation's largest bike rides and will kick off the summer celebration of bicycling for the sixteenth year in a row. Please use caution during the entire day, as many cyclists will be traveling to and from the event. For more information, call the Active Transportation Alliance at 312-216-0488 or visit mbbikethedrive.org.

Old Town School of Folk Music's Memory Singers Classes

Classes begin for Old Town School of Folk Music's Memory Singers class on Tuesday, May 30th at the Lincoln Park location, 909 W Armitage Avenue. Memory Singers is a new class for folks learning to live with the early stages of memory loss and those who care for them. Classes are on Tuesdays from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM and run $60 for 4 classes. For more information visit here.

Operation Help A Hero

The 43rd Ward and Operation Help-A-Hero will be collecting basic household items and toiletries now through July 4th in an effort to help the hundreds of Chicagoland veterans who are homeless. Only new, store bought items will be accepted. Click here to view suggested donation items. All donations will be delivered to the United State's Department of Veteran's Affairs, who will distribute materials to qualifying veterans   in need of assist ance. Please drop off donations at the Ward office, 2523 N. Halsted Street.

Free Women's Self-Defense Seminar

Join State Representatives Sara Feigenholtz and Ann Williams for a free women's self-defense seminar from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM on Saturday, June 3rd at the Japanese Culture Center, 1016 W Belmont Avenue. Self-defense instructors will be present to conduct demonstrations and discuss ways that women can help keep themselves safe. Space is limited, so RSVP is required. For more information please contact Rep. Feigenholtz's office at 773-296-4141 or [email protected].


Lincoln Central Association's 4th annual  Spring Zing  promises to a magical afternoon of family fun, featuring face painting, kite decorating, entertainment from  Magician Sean Masterson , great prizes, and more. Come out on Saturday, June 3rd from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM at the corner of Dickens & Lincoln.

Condo & Townhome Owner Workshop

Join me, Representative Sara Feigenholtz and Alderman Brian Hopkins for a condo & townhome owner workshop on Monday, June 5th between 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at LaSalle Language Academy Gymnasium, 1734 N Orleans Street. Click here for more information and here to RSVP. Should you have any questions please contact 773-296-4141 or email [email protected] Parking is available in lot off Orleans Street.

See you in the neighborhood,

Michele Signature

Michele Smith
Alderman, 43rd Ward 


43rd Ward Office Hours: M 9 AM - 7 PM, T-F 9 AM - 6 PM 
 2523 N Halsted | 773-348-9500| [email protected]| www.ward43.org
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