Congressman Quigley attended our last meeting and discussed current events and challenges relating to Republican Speaker turmoil and its effect of freezing the ability to act on various crucial issues such as the budget, and efforts to support Ukraine and Israel in pending military conflicts. He also addressed several local issues, such as passport processing support and infrastructure improvements, before excusing himself to attend an evening voting session relating to attempts to designate a Speaker replacement for recently removed Kevin McCarthy. 

Samantha Brewer provided a 39^th Ward update addressing issues such as Lowell repaving, and migrant relief efforts. She noted the need for food and clothing, as well as the identification of adequate facilities to replace tent housing as winter approaches. Lisa Stringer noted that donations are being accepted by the Irving Park Food Pantry and Hollywood North Park. Tom Keating, and Jeff and Ann Wentz noted their efforts to complete donations and to assist migrants in this dire situation. Katie El Ali, staff manager at State Representative Mike Kelly’s office presented information on Mike’s current community objectives, including migrant relief and infrastructure activities. She encourages you to contact them with questions. Their number is 773-736-0218.

We await installation of the Mayfair Park sculpture, expected to occur before our next meeting. 

Thanks to PEBA and the SSA for their garden and bump-out work: looking really nice!

Join the discussion at our upcoming meeting – we want your ideas on the possibility of an annual party at the pub in the IAHC.

2023 Meeting Schedule

Mayfair Civic Association meetings are generally held on the second Thursday of every month. No meetings are held in January, July, or August. These are the remaining dates for 2023. These are suggested meeting dates and topics, subject to any comments you may provide, but will be followed in the absence of alternative suggestions. Our Board generally meets quarterly as determined by Board members.

November 9 Annual Party Planning

December 7 Holiday Party

Membership Meetings

Here are some details from recent meetings of the Mayfair Civic Association.

Thanks to the neighbors, as well as to the offices of Alderman Nugent for Ward 39, Representative Mike Kelly for District 15, and Congressman Mike Quigley for attending.

Reminder: The MCA is looking for a new treasurer!

If you or someone you know has accounting skills and would like to get more involved and contribute directly to your neighborhood, Mayfair Civic Association is looking for a new treasurer. Those interested can contact MCA President Ron Duplack at rduplack@rieckcrotty.com. Thank you for your support!

New construction at 4045 W Lawerence, “Kumho Tires” lot

At the 9/14 meeting, Fayyaz Gillani, owner of the Dunkin Donuts at 4045 W Lawerence, and his partner Steven Kolber presented plans to construct a new 2-story mixed-use building in the neighboring vacant lot to the west of the existing Dunkin Donuts. Gillani and Kolber explained that the first floor would have space for business tenants and the second floor would include three apartments. In-between the building and the Dunkin Donuts, there will be a community space that will be maintained, managed, and operated by Gillani and his organization. The community space is intended for gatherings, small events, and outdoor dining, and there are plans for a large mural of some kind to be at the back, south-facing side of the space. The plans include putting up an 8′ board-on-board privacy fence along the south side of the property, separating the property from the alley. The development would increase the drive-through queue space for the Dunkin Donuts and avoid the queue backing up onto Lawrence.

Following are the draft plans for the development for your reference. The Mayfair Civic Association submitted a letter of no objection to the Alderman’s office after requesting feedback from the Mayfair Civic Association email list.

Sculpture at Mayfair Park

Recent migrant arrivals

During the October meeting, people asked about the status of migrants arriving at the 17th District Police Station and staying in tents in the surrounding area. There were questions about how to help, and the plan going into winter. Regarding how to help, Samantha Brewer from the Alderman’s office said that they are working with the Hollywood-North Park Community Association to provide winter garments, baby clothing, and other necessities. Another attendee mentioned that the Irving Park Community Food Pantry is looking for new or gently-used winter coats.

Katie El-Ali from State Representative Mike Kelly’s office said during the meeting that they were working with Alderman Nugent’s office to provide what assistance they can from the state. However, El-Ali said that they can only do so much at the state level, and they’re hoping for more federal funding.

If you have questions or would like to help, please contact the Alderman’s office at 773-736-5594 or via email at Ward39@CityOfChicago.Org, or visit the following websites:

• Hollywood-North Park Community Association
• Irving Park Community Food Pantry

Illinois state legislature in veto session

Katie El-Ali of State Representative Mike Kelly’s office mentioned during the October meeting that the Representative was going back to the veto session for the end of the month to work on fixing the budget and address capital funding for the area. One area of funding in particular for the neighborhood is some work that Representative Kelly is doing with Alderman Samantha Nugent to resurface Lowell Avenue.

For more information on the veto session, consider the coverage from WTTW and AP News.

Annual Holiday Party

During the October meeting, the question was raised of whether and where to do an annual holiday party this year, which would fall on Thursday, December 14. The general sentiment seemed to be that a low-key get-together sounded nice, perhaps meeting up at the IAHC’s 5th Province for a drink and conversation, which would coincide pleasantly with the pub’s live music night. If anyone has thoughts on whether they’d like to get together and where, please send an email to Ron Duplack at rduplack@rieckcrotty.com.

The following are some highlights from Alderman Nugent’s newsletters and other communications.

Migrants being moved to former Marine Corp Reserve Training Center

The city recently purchased the former Marine Corp Reserve Training Center at 3034 W Foster Ave. In the short-term, the building on the property is being used to address the humanitarian crisis the city is facing and get migrant families out of police station lobbies and into a more appropriate setting. In the long-term, potential uses could be a park district property or an early childhood learning facility. These are preliminary ideas as there are many possibilities that I look forward to exploring with the community. 

Newly-arriving migrants have been moving out of police stations and into the shelter. My office will be hosting a supply drive for commonly requested items in the next week. Please watch Facebook for a list of accepted donations.

Street sweeping and raking up parkway leaves

We have extended street sweeping this year through November, as opposed to October in the past. Please be on the lookout for “No Parking” signs posted on your block. You can check to see when your block will be swept here. 

As the leaves begin to fall, please do not rake them into the streets. Leaves clog storm drains and the street sweeper. Leaves should be raked into bags and then placed in the alley or on the parkway for pick up. You can call the office at 773-736-5594 or email ward39@cityofchicago.org to request a yard waste pickup.

Visit and Subscribe!

Visit https://aldermannugent.com/ to subscribe to Alderman Nugent’s newsletter and learn about what she’s doing for the 39th Ward. My office is open Mondays from 9am to 7pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9am to 5pm and Fridays from 9am to 3pm. While the office is open for walk-ins, appointments are encouraged. We ask that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Please reach out should you have any questions, comments, or concerns at 773-736-5594 or via email at Ward39@CityOfChicago.Org.

In the Neighborhood

CAPS Meeting for Beat 1722

CAPS meetings for Beat 1722 are back in-person, and there is no Zoom or hybrid option. Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. The next meeting is on November 15 at 6:30pm in the Community Room of the 17th District Police Department at 4650 N Pulaski. A full schedule of meetings for the year can be found here.

The primary purpose of the beat community meeting is to allow beat residents, other community stakeholders and police to discuss chronic problems on the beat and to engage in problem solving using the CAPS five-step problem-solving process. Beat community meetings provide an opportunity for police and community residents to exchange information about conditions in the neighborhood, to identify crime and disorder problems, and to develop strategies to combat those problems. The meeting also provides an opportunity for police and community to get to know one another.

For upcoming meeting info, or if you have questions or comments, please contact the CAPS office at 312-742-4588, or email caps.017district@chicagopolice.org. Learn about the Office of Community Policing at https://home.chicagopolice.org/community-policing-group/.

Neighborhood businesses