Ethics Reforms Pass Council
Community Alert Update
Safety Parking Restrictions on Cannon Drive
Taste of Lincoln Ave
Ward Night
Click on the image for video
Update on Halsted Stabbing

T he Chicago Police have issued an updated Community Alert, with video, related to the horrific stabbing that occurred on Halsted at 3:30 a.m. on July 18.

According to the alert , on July 17th, 2019 a person of interest in the investigation stole a vehicle from the area of 353 N. DesPlaines St.

Police are seeking information about the identity and location of this individual. The subject is known to frequent the area of Milwaukee Ave/Grand Ave/Halsted St and Division and Orleans St.

If you have any information about this incident, call the Area Central Division at 312-747-8380. RD# JC353629. Tips can be left anonymously at cpdtip.com
Temporary Parking Restrictions on Cannon Drive for Safety

On July 20 at 3 a.m., a group of individuals leaving the lakefront at Fullerton confronted another group of people arriving at the lakefront and shots were fired. 7 people were injured. You can read about the incident in the Sun Times and The Chicago Tribune.

Police have informed me that this incident is part of a disturbing pattern in which individuals come to the lakefront long after the park is closed after parking on Cannon Drive. Police are concerned about increasing numbers of illegal parties and disturbances. In an effort to curb this activity, the Chicago Police and Park District will be taking the following steps:

  • Prominently posting "Park Closes at 11 p.m." signs in the park along Cannon Drive
  • Implementing a pilot program establishing a "Parking Prohibited Tow Zone" along Cannon Drive from Fullerton to Diversey between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. This pilot will begin this Friday for this weekend. Police have been flyering cars along Cannon Drive to advise of these new restrictions. Police hope that these measures will discourage those who wish to come to the neighborhood armed to commit violence while preserving our lakefront for the peaceful enjoyment of everyone.

Our office will monitor this pilot after this weekend to see whether it addresses the issue and whether the scope of the prohibition needs to be changed. These temporary measures are critical to preserving both access to our parks and to curb illegal activity. Thank you for your cooperation.
Ethics Reforms Unanimously Pass City Council

Yesterday, we were proud to pass historic ethics reform at City Council. After years of work, City Council is finally subject to the same type of oversight by our Inspector General as every other City employee and elected official. We also passed restrictions to prohibit aldermen from earning outside income that is in conflict with their duty to taxpayers - such as obtaining reduced tax assessments.

I would like to thank my fellow Aldermen and good government groups who have labored in the trenches of reform for so many years to bring these changes about, and for Mayor Lightfoot for making these changes a priority for her Administration.

As Chair of the Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight, our work is just beginning. We will be announcing further reforms in the coming months.

Please see this link with a clip of the post council press conference.
Community Meeting
Redevelopment of 2616 N. Clark St.
Tuesday, July 30
6:00 p.m.
Frances' Deli
2552 N. Clark St.

Please join my office and the Park West Community Association (PWCA) at a community meeting to discuss the proposed redevelopment of 2616 North Clark Street.The new owners of the property, located just south of the Wiener’s Circle, are proposing to redevelop the existing building into a 15 room hotel. The redevelopment would be interior and the existing structure will be preserved.

The site is currently zoned B1-2, and in order to be able to apply for a hotel license, the
applicant would need a B3 designation and a special use approval. My office will be present at this meeting to monitor the discussion, take notes and record your comments.
Community Events
Taste of Lincoln Ave
Saturday, July 27 - Sunday, July 28
12:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m.
2500 N. Lincoln Ave.

In a city of street fests, one would be hard-pressed to find one more iconic than Taste of Lincoln Avenue, celebrating its 36th year in 2019 . Come out and see

  • Two stages of great music featuring both national and regional acts.
  • The FREE“Kids’ Carnival” area open each afternoon featuring entertainment, art activities, pony rides, kiddie rides and more.
  • Ticketed Wine, Whiskey & Tequila Tastings.
  • And most important, a stand-alone “Chocolate Fest” area with tastings and sales

The $10 suggested donation for entry funds grants from WNA to our neighborhood schools and other local charities. For tickets to tastings and more details, click here .

Volunteers are still needed for the event this weekend! If you or anyone within your organization are interested in volunteering at this year’s Taste, please  complete this online sign-up form.  
Theater on the Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival
All Summer
7:00 p.m.
Theater on the Lake
2401 N. Lakeshore Drive

Chicago Park District's Theater on the Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival, is celebrating 67 years of Chicago's rich storefront theater and emerging artist community. Tickets are FREE! This weekend:
 
July 23 - 26
Stories from the 2nd Story
Storytelling

Find a full schedule of events and tickets, click www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Summertime Chess at
Lincoln Park Library
All Summer
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
1150 W. Fullerton Ave.

Join Coach Lamar, for summertime lessons at Lincoln Park Library every Saturday from July 27th - August 31st. The cost is $15 per student and registration is required. Lessons for parents are free! Click here to register for a Saturday session.
Lincoln Park Conservancy - North Pond Gardeners Needed
Saturday, July 27
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
North Pond

The conservancy will be weeding invasive plant species and cleaning up the park! For more information and to volunteer, email  Aaron  to register. 
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 6
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Chicago Riverwalk

The 18th District Community Policing Office invites you to ‘ National Night Out’ 2019. Americas’s Night Out Against Crime. Meet your police service teams, while enjoying food, games, music, resources, and police demonstrations.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
Announcements
Ward Night
Monday, August 5
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

We are instituting Ward Nights every first Monday of each month. Stop by my office between 5-7 p.m. and sign up to meet with me and discuss issues and matters concerning our ward. It is encouraged you use our appointment link  here. Walk-ins are welcome and will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis. I'm looking forward to meeting you and hearing your concerns.
Office Closed for Training
Friday, July 26

Our office will be closed on Friday, July 26 for staff training. We will reopen on Monday at 9 a.m. with our regular business hours.

See you in the neighborhood,






Michele Smith
43rd Ward Alderman
43rd Ward Office Hours: M 9 AM - 7 PM, T - F 9 AM - 6 PM 
  2523 N Halsted  |  773-348-9500 yourvoice@ward43.org www.ward43.org
Text Us for Constituent Services: 773-906-4333