Of 523 playgrounds located within the Chicago Park District, 300 have been identified as more than 15 years old and in need of replacement.  In a partnership with the Chicago Park District and Friends of the Parks is launching a community application to select 35 parks in 2013 to be replaced with brand new equipment! For more information please visit the Friends of the Parks website or CLICK HERE to download the application.

Our office has been working with the CTA on finding out what the new Ventra fare card system is about. There will be no difference in terms of transit use however paying in cash for a single-use card will have an added cost of 50¢, bringing the fare with transfer to $3.00. Single payment on a reusable Ventra card or direct debit will remain $2.25 + 25¢ transfer and single-use day passes will not have the additional fee. If you receive a discounted fare now, you can continue to receive this same discount.

From what we understand, the fees that have come into question are only associated with the use of a Ventra cards as a pre-paid debit card, just as you would have with any debit card. Some of the initially proposed fees were adjusted or removed. Remember that using the Ventra Card as a debit card is an option and is not mandatory. In fact, many customers will be able to sign up to use their own debit cards issued by their banks if it has the right technology built in and will not use the Ventra card itself. There are some good FAQs on the CTA Ventra website. We are keeping a close eye on all of this and we will work to make sure 47th Ward residents are informed with accurate information.

Alderman Pawar's vision of highlighting the works of local artists in his office has been realized through the OpenWall initiative curated by Patricia Larkin Green. Every quarter the OpenWall committee determines a theme, then selects and displays artwork in this public space.

The newest installation, Roots of the Community, features the artwork of senior artists living and creating in the 47th Ward.

Many of the exhibit's contributing artists are members of the Senior Artists Network (SAN), a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting and fostering the talents of Chicago-area artists age 50 or older. The installation's artwork spans the spectrum, from dramatic photographs and urban-inspired oil paintings to mixed media, pastels, mosaic and water color. The array of artwork is both stunning and varied, and it testifies to the talent and diversity of the seasoned artists living in the neighborhood. The public is invited to mingle with the alderman and his staff, the local community and the artists to discuss their works at the opening reception on April 20th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at 4243 N. Lincoln Ave. The exhibit is co-curated by Sylvia Garcia and Carolyn Bull, and runs through May 15th.

Featured artists: Meredith Dytch, Mike Barret Kolasinski, Ann Ponce, Judith Roth, Kathleen Beste, Beverly Alice Nash, Petr Poliak, Carolyn Bull, Bill Bartelt and Patricia Larkin Green. The Chicago Mosaic School also has contributed a piece to the show. To learn more about the artists and the event, please check out the OpenWall blog at and leave your comments.

Sulzer needs your old games.  Thanks to our neighbors who have donated games for the Sulzer's Game Night!  If you have games that your family no longer uses, please bring them to the 47th Ward Office or to Sulzer Library. Their ever-popular "Game Night" could use a few more board games like Sorry, Chess, Life, Uno, Jenga, Rummy Cube, etc.  

Spring may be slow to get started in Chicago, but it's already in full swing inside the Garfield Park Conservatory. See a collection of Azaleas, camellias, and hydrangeas. More info here.

Daily, 9am - 5pm, 300 N. Central Park Ave.

Check out the infrastructure map on our webpage!

Sewer Lining for Virginia

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is lining sewers on Virginia between Sunnyside and Lawrence.  MWRD notified adjacent residents.  To read more about this project, please click here.   

Water Main for 4000-4400 N Hermitage

City Crews from the Dept. of Water Management will begin replacing the 1890 water main under Hermitage from Irving Park to Montrose.  Work will begin near Berteau and Hermitage tomorrow.  This work will will be completed by June of 2013. To see the residents' notice, please click here. Please Note: Parking Restrictions ONLY enforced M-F.

Water Main for 3900 N Marshfield  

City Crews from the Dept. of Water Management are replacing the 1906 water main under Marshfield from Irving Park to Byron.  Work will be completed by late April 2013.   To see the residents' notice, please click here. 

Water Main for 4000-4400 N Leavitt 

City contractor has replaced the 1895 water main under Leavitt St. from Irving Park to Montrose.  Crews have restored the concrete base course.  Asphalt resurfacing will come in the spring.  To see the residents' notice, please click here. 

Sewer Mains for Wolcott and Ravenswood

City crews have finished installing sewer pipes on Wolcott (Addison to Bradley) and Ravenswood (Belmont to Roscoe). Curbline to curbline asphalt resurfacing will take place in the Spring once temperatures allow.  To see the residents' notice, please click here.

Metra Traffic Closures and Detours 

• Leland detours and bridge closure will be up until June 28, 2013.
• Ravenswood from Lawrence to Leland will have parking restrictions until June 28, 2013.  There is also an ongoing FULL CLOSURE for this duration on the west side of Ravenswood.  Sidewalks will remain open.   
• Ravenswood from Berteau to Grace will have intermittent closures as work continues there. 

For more information, visit the infrastructure section of our website or contact Bill Higgins at bill@chicago47.org or 773-549-2745.