With a calendar full of community events and Halloween just around the corner, our office has an exciting month ahead. Here a few quick highlights you will find in this month’s newsletter:

Join my office at Howler at Bauler for our Sixth Annual Pumpkin Giveaway and Canned Food Drive to benefit the Nourishing Hope Food Pantry!
The General Election is November 3rd, with Early Voting already underway in select locations. Check your voter status or find early voting sites through the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Important changes to professional licensing (IDFPR CORE) and upcoming 2027 Medicaid Requirements.

For more information on any of these topics and more, continue reading down below.

Sixth Annual Pumpkin Giveaway and Canned Food Drive

My office is hosting our sixth annual Pumpkin Giveaway and Canned Food Drive! Join us at Lincoln Central Association’s annual neighborhood Halloween party, Howler at Bauler, on October 24th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Bauler Park (501 W Wisconsin). This family-friendly event includes a costume parade, face painting, a bouncy house, and if you bring a canned good to donate, you will receive a free pumpkin in return. All proceeds will go to the Nourishing Hope food pantry. See you there!

44th Ward shred Event

Alderman Lawson’s fall shred event will be held on Saturday, October 17th from 9:00am to 12:00pm outside of the 44th Ward office (3223 N Sheffield). Residents are limited to recycling only two boxes or containers per household. A representative from the Treasurer’s Office will also be there to help constituents with the ICASH program. For questions, call 773-525-6034.

General Election: November 3rd

The Illinois General Election is on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026. On election day, polls will be open from 6:00am to 7:00pm. To ensure you are ready to vote, visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website to verify your registration, view a sample ballot, or look up your specific precinct polling place.

Vote By Mail Information:

Applications to receive a vote by mail ballot are currently open.
All requests must be received by the Election Authority by 10/29/2026 to ensure ballots can be sent in a timely manner.
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026: Election day! All mail-in ballots must be postmarked by this date to be counted.

Early Voting Information:

Early Voting begins on October 7th at limited locations around the county. Then, early Voting expands to more locations and sites on October 19th. If you missed the online registration deadline, you can still register and vote in person during this time at any early voting site.

12th District Early Voting Sites Starting October 19th Include:

Ward 2: Near North Library (310 W Division St.)
Ward 43: Lincoln Park Library (1150 W Fullerton Ave.)
Ward 44: Merlo Library (644 W. Belmont Ave.)

Standard Early Voting Hours:

Weekdays: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

In the Community

WOOGMS Labor Day Parade

Henry enjoyed marching in the annual WOOGMS Labor Day Parade alongside members of the community and dogs in bandanas, and watching the incredibly talented Jesse White Tumblers. Thank you, WOOGMS, for hosting such a great event!

Evening On Astor

Henry attended the Gold Coast Neighbors Association’s Evening on Astor. The evening featured live music, fine dining, and community lit up by the evening stars. Evening on Astor truly is the world’s most elegant block party.

44th Ward Senior Picnic

Team Croke volunteered at Alderman Lawson’s annual 44th Ward Senior Picnic. With food, music, and a fun raffle, the event was a great success.

Lakeview East Festival of the Arts

Henry and our Fall Intern, Lillya, tabled at the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts. The festival featured incredible artists, fun attractions, and great music. Thank you Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce for having us!

Government Updates

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

IDFPR is helping licensees do MORE with CORE. As a modernized, streamlined way to manage professional licensing needs, CORE offers a practical way to complete required actions online, make payments, and track the status of an application or renewal. To learn more about CORE and see the most recent updates, click here.

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services

Medicaid customers, the federal government is enacting changes that may affect some Medicaid customers starting January 2027. Many customers will not be affected. Illinois Medicaid will contact you if these changes apply to you. Make sure they can reach you. If you receive mail from the State of Illinois, open it right away. Update your address, phone number, and email today by clicking here or calling 877-805-5312.

Chicago Marathon Street Closures

The Chicago Marathon is coming up on Sunday, October 11, 2026 and it goes directly through Illinois’ 12th District. For those planning to cheer on the runners or navigate the area, please see the map above for street closure information. For a map of the full course, click here.

Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA)

Applications to serve on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability are now open. The District Councils’ Nominating Committee invites interested North Side leaders between the ages of 18 to 24 to apply. Applications will close on October 18, 2026, at 11:59PM. To learn more, see the full list of requirements, or apply to serve on the CCPSA, click here.

Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s LIHEAP helps eligible households with low income pay for home energy services. This includes assistance with heating gas, propane and electricity. Each year, priority enrollment opens for vulnerable groups first with general applications opening the following month. To learn more or fill out an application, click here.

Illinois Department of Human Services

Illinois SNAP customers who lost their benefits can find out if they qualify for an exemption or how to regain eligibility and meet the new work requirements by working, volunteering, or participating in a training or education program by clicking here.

Illinois Department of Public Health

Be prepared for the respiratory virus season this year by getting vaccinated. See the above chart for IDPH’s recommendations on who should receive which vaccinations. For more information and to find a clinic near you, visit the IDPH, Cook County, and Chicago Department of Public Health websites.

Illinois Reproductive Health Care Hub

The Illinois Reproductive Health Care Hub recently launched their official website to make reproductive healthcare information accessible to everyone. On their new website, you can access information and resources ranging from maternity care to cancer screenings. If you or someone you know needs access to reproductive care resources, click here for more information.

Grant Opportunities

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has a variety of grants available to support members of the community.

SBIR/STTR Match Program

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) are competitive federal grant programs that provide funding opportunities for small businesses to perform research and development (R&D) on technology of interest to federal agencies. Both projects provide funding to explore the potential of high-tech products and encourage commercialization of those products.

Deadline: June 30th, 2027
For more information, click here
Contact: Jamie Gladfelter (CEO.SBIR@illinois.gov)

International Tourism Program (Round 2)

The intent of the program is to promote Illinois as a travel destination to the international leisure traveler. The International tourism program is important to the State of Illinois’ tourism industry to match/leverage local funds with State funds to promote destination drivers, to market and promote attractions and events throughout the State to international travelers to ultimately impact the economic growth of the tourism industry.

Deadline: January 31, 2027
For more information, click here
Contact: Aimee Moulton (ceo.tourismgrants@illinois.gov)

Community Events

Lincoln Park Art Night

The Leslie Wolfe Gallery, gallery 1871, Madron Gallery, Art on Sedgwick, and Art City are opening their doors once again to participate in the fifth annual Lincoln Park Art Night. Join the community at these incredible art locations to celebrate the Lincoln Park neighborhood and promote local art. The event is free and open to all with complimentary buses available to transport you from gallery to gallery. To learn more, click here.

Old Town Triangle Neighborhood Yard Sale

Join the Old Town Triangle for a neighborhood yard sale at the Old Town Triangle Center. Sellers from across the neighborhood will be set up with tables selling everything from clothes to artwork. The yard sale will take place on Saturday, October 17th from 9:00am to 2:00pm. For more information, click here.

Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce’s Spooktacular 2026

Businesses on Lincoln Avenue and Clark Street, from Diversey to Armitage, will embrace the spooky season and transform into trick-or-treat stops this Halloween. Join the haunted fun on Lincoln Avenue (Saturday, October 24th, 1:00pm to 4:00pm) and Clark Street & Diversey Parkway (Sunday, October 25th, 1:00pm to 4:00pm). To learn more, click here.

Ghouly Park Halloween

On Sunday, October 25th, the Gold Coast Neighbors Association will be hosting a family friendly Halloween fun fest from 1:00pm to 3:00pm in Goudy Square Park. Music, treat bags, and activities will be available to the neighborhood ghosts, goblins, princesses, superheroes and other little monsters at this beloved neighborhood park. To learn more, click here.

Old Town Halloween Party and Parade

The Old Town Triangle Association is hosting their seventh annual community Halloween party and parade on Friday, October 30th, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. The parade will step off at 4:44pm from the Old Town Triangle Center (1763 N North Park Avenue) and go through the neighborhood. Following the parade, there will be snacks and more fun back at the Triangle Center until 6:00pm. For more information and to register, click here.

Lakeview East Little Monster’s Crawl

This Halloween, Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Little Monsters Crawl. From 11:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday, October 31st, local businesses will give out treats and candy for a neighborhood wide trick-or-treat. Go from business to business and collect as much as you can carry! A map of participating businesses is coming soon. To learn more, click here.

Resources

Know Your Rights

Understanding your rights is vital for all individuals in the United States. The information above provides helpful guidance for encounters with ICE. For further support and resources, visit the National Immigrant Justice Center’s Legal Deportation Assistance website or Organized Communities Against Deportations’ Resource Guide.

Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement Program (CARE)

CARE is now operating in all 77 community areas of Chicago. The CARE team provides specialized 911 responses for mental health crises. Available weekdays from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, these behavioral health professionals offer de-escalation, assessments, referrals, and transport. To ensure ongoing support, the team conducts follow-up checks at 1, 7, and 30 days. To learn more, click here.

Weather Warnings & Staying Prepared

As we prepare for cooler weather, we expect to see some flooding and minor weather hazards this fall. See the graphics above for information on how to stay prepared during severe weather hazards and react to flooding or lightning. See the most up to date safety information on the National Weather Service website. To learn more, click here.

Center for Disability & Elder Law Resources

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) offers free legal services for older adults and adults with disabilities. Through free legal services, advocacy, education, and a network of dedicated volunteer attorneys, CDEL helps individuals navigate complex issues including housing, end of life planning, consumer disputes, and more. To get in contact with CDEL call 312-376-1880 or visit their website by clicking here.

PAWS Shoutout

We have a PAWS shoutout for October: Meet Walley!

Meet Walley, a sweet 11 year old gentleman who knows what he likes and enjoys having the time and space to settle in at his own pace. Walley is looking for a calm place where he can get comfortable with all of his surroundings and find a place to call his own. If you are looking for a loving cat with a purr that is sure to make you smile, Walley may be right for you!

Walley is available for adoption at PAWS Chicago’s Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center, located at 1997 N. Clybourn Avenue. Click here and make your adoption appointment today!

Wishing you a safe and healthy October! Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any questions or concerns. We’re always here to help!

October 2026 Newsletter