Fall has arrived, which means the veto session is around the corner. Plenty of substantive issues and unfinished business are surfacing and shaping our agenda. More on that below.
We continue to work closely with our local Aldermen and the Diversey Community Coalition to stop ComEd’s misguided plan to build an electrical substation at 1111 W. Diversey. The 1.2-acre lot, once a car dealership, is more suitable for desperately needed housing.
The site is located 735 feet from the Diversey El stop in a transit-oriented (TOD) development. It is incomprehensible that this site, nestled between schools, daycare centers, and tree-lined residential side streets, would be a 10-foot-high, one-block-long brick fortress.
It’s important to tell the Illinois Commerce Commission, the ultimate decider on whether to approve this project for this site, why 1111 W Diversey is the WRONG SITE.
The community should submit comments on the Illinois Commerce Commission website. Please visit the Diversey Community Coalition website, where you will be guided to the comment page.
This project is now before the Illinois Commerce Commission, where public comments truly count. These comments are making a big difference. Make your voice heard.
The debate over regulating data centers is ongoing, with a big push to pass the POWER Act. Environmental advocates are raising concerns about data centers to keep Illinois on track to reach its climate goals. I’d like to hear your thoughts about this issue and more, so please take a moment to complete this survey.
I look forward to seeing you around the neighborhood at the many Halloween events!
Best,
Sara Feigenholtz
State Senator | 6th District
PS: Please spread the word and encourage neighbors to sign up for our newsletter and follow our FB and Insta pages to stay up to date on district-wide events and happenings.
Tell ComEd This Is the Wrong Site
On September 26th, dozens of neighbors lined both sides of Diversey Parkway outside the proposed ComEd substation site, holding signs as passing drivers honked in support. Children covered the sidewalk with chalk drawings.
Here are some facts:
ComEd was presented with 14 alternative sites for the substation located in more industrial areas. ComEd rejected all of them without serious explanation.
When asked why and for further explanation, ComEd’s responses have been evasive and inconsistent.
I have introduced legislation to give the city real authority over utility facilities like this one.
Diversey Community Coalition’s Kyle Donash and I broke it all down on Fox News Chicago. Watch the full conversation here.
We welcomed State Treasurer Michael Frerichs to our district office for Illinois’ first-ever Unclaimed Property Phonathon. For two hours, we made personal calls to residents and businesses across the 6th Senate District to notify them of unclaimed property in their name.
The ICash program wants to return unclaimed assets to their rightful owners. Items include bank accounts, safe deposit box contents, stock certificates, returned or uncashed checks, and life insurance policies, among others.
Treasurer Frerichs, Alderman Lawson, and I share that commitment to returning these assets, and our phone calls were highly successful.
The Treasurer’s Office safeguards more than $5 billion in unclaimed assets statewide, including dozens of claims over $100,000 right here in the 6th District. To check whether you have money waiting, visiticash.illinoistreasurer.gov or call 800-961-8303.
The Event Breakdown
September has brought plenty of opportunities for Team Feigenholtz to connect with our neighbors. From community meetings and parades to holiday events, we’ve been across the district listening to residents, hearing their concerns, and celebrating the people who make our community special.
The Annual Challah Bake
We joined 150 Lakeview Jewish Women’s Circle members for the annual Challah Bake
44th Ward Senior Picnic
Thanks to Alderman Lawson for hosting this special event and bringing our community together
Lincoln Square Oktoberfest
We kicked off the Oktoberfest season in Lincoln Square with great crowds, great food, and even better company. Prost to more Oktoberfest fun this Fall
Evening on Astor
Always a pleasure spending an Evening on Astor! Grateful to GCNA President Melissa Rickey for another wonderful evening
Nourishing Hope
Nourishing Hope is a valuable resource for our lakefront community. Artist Anthony Lewellen, who grew up in Uptown, painted a beautiful mural titled “Radiating Hope.” This artwork symbolizes Nourishing Hope’s commitment to supporting our neighbors. You can see the mural from the Sheridan stop on the Red Line
Naturalization Celebration
Congratulations to the new Americans who took their oath at Wrigley Field
Jonquil Park Celebration
We celebrated the completion of the Jonquil Park renovation project. We even met DIBS the DePaul Celebrity
ELVN Oktoberfest
Great seeing friends at the East Lake View Neighbors Annual Oktoberfest at Murphy’s Bleachers
Midnight Circus Performs on its 20th Anniversary
I was joined by 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin and Midnight Circus’s very own Jeff Jenkins for a day filled with trapeze artists, acrobats, and big-top thrills. Thank you to everyone who came out to make it such a memorable afternoon for our community
Upcoming Events
Make sure to bring out those papers and old electronics at Bennett Lawson’s shred event
State Representative Croke’s office is hosting its sixth annual Pumpkin Giveaway and Canned Food Drive! The drive will take place at the Lincoln Central Association’s annual neighborhood Halloween party, Howler at Bauler, on October 24th from 3- 5 PM at Bauler Park (501 W Wisconsin). Bring a canned good to donate, and you’ll receive a free pumpkin in return. All proceeds will go to the Nourishing Hope food pantry.
Wednesday, October 7th
Bonfire with S’mores! Join the Buena Circle and Challenger Park Advisory Council on Oct. 7th, 5:30-7:00 pm at Buena Circle Park to roast s’mores, learn about local wildlife, and hang out with neighbors
Cheer on more than 55,000 runners at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 11! In our area, the course runs between North and Diversey on Stockton and Cannon, then returns along Clark and Sedgwick
Oktoberfestiversary returns! Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery are hosting their annual Fall party! Join us in celebrating Chicago’s coolest season and Begyle Brewing’s 14th anniversary
Don’t miss Howler at Bauler! Including a bouncy house, costume parade, games, candy, a DJ to dance to, and more for local neighborhood children and families
