We reconvene this month following our annual holiday break.  We hope you all had pleasant holidays.     

Our last meeting focused on continuing efforts to develop the Weber Spur and issues and concerns regarding the homeless encampment in Gompers Park.      

We also discussed the proposed memorial garden to be installed in Mayfair Park to recognize and celebrate the many years of tireless community service by Wally Eliasen. We are teaming with Mayfair Park Advisory Council to raise funds to make this a reality. We welcome contributions of any size and will provide details at our February meeting.

We held an informal holiday party at the Irish American Heritage Center Pub following the Thwack Dance performance of Oratorio at Mayfair Park field house on Thursday, December 12.

Our next meeting will be held via Zoom at 6:30pm on Thursday, February 13. See contact information at the notice elsewhere in this Newsletter. We will seek input regarding community issues and needs for planning action during 2025. Hope to see you on Zoom.

2025 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 2025. 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 and until further notice held via Zoom at 6:30pm.

February 13 Planning	May 8 Mayfair Park	October 9 Elections
March 13 Kedvale Playlot/Gardens	June 12 TBA	November 13 Annual Party Planning
April 10 Zoning & Development	September 11 Traffic & Parking	December 11 Holiday Party

Wanted: The MCA is looking for a treasurer and membership manager

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 and membership manager. Those interested can contact MCA President Ron Duplack at rduplack@rieckcrotty.com. Thank you for your support!

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 and Congressman Mike Quigley for attending.

Updates from Congressman Quigley

Dana Fritz from the office of Congressman Mike Quigley was in attendance for the November 14 meeting. At the time, the Congressman was hoping to wrap up on the House appropriations bill, which included a number of projects specific to the 5th District, including funding for the much-anticipated Weber Spur Trail. In light of the changes to the administration, concerns were raised by attendees about the possibility of already-approved funds not being disbursed in efforts to cut spending. However, Mr. Fritz said that he was confident that items in the appropriations bill will get funded.

Homeless encampment at Gompers Park

Attendees at the November meeting raised their concerns about the homeless encampment with Congressman Quigley’s office, with the hope of getting assistance with funding for an Accelerated Moving Event (AME). At the time of the meeting, they had been told that there was no additional money available to fund an AME in 2024. Dana Fritz, a representative for the Congressman’s office in attendance, said that they wanted to help but cautioned that Congress doesn’t often move quickly on anything, and it was unlikely that they could provide any solutions in the short timeframe that people were aiming for. However, Congressman Quigley has been working to increase affordable housing for the district, including a project with Mercy Housing and another from the prior year with the Irving Park YMCA.

Since the meeting, an AME has been scheduled to begin on the week of February 24, 2025! However, concerns remain about the consequences of the AME; Adam Gianforte with the group 39th Ward Neighbors United has shared the following about the AME:

There’s an AME (accelerated moving event) scheduled for the end of February. This is great news! The problem is that these AME’s are usually paired with enforcement of no-camping ordinances to force out anyone left after the AME. There are some loud voices in the neighborhood advocating for this. We don’t want anyone to be forced to accept housing or shelter that isn’t a good fit for them, and we’re also really concerned about the long term implications. Until we have more long term solutions to ending homelessness in Chicago, we can’t displace folks from parks.

We want Ald. Nugent to focus on housing people, not criminalizing them or forcing them out of our community now or in the future.

More information from the group about the AME and proposed action can be found on their Facebook page.

A Nadig Newspapers article states that there have been three fires in the park reported since January 30; the article includes additional information about curfew enforcement with a previous AME. The Gompers Park Athletic Association might not use the baseball field this season due to concerns about safety near the camping. For the Alderman’s response to the scheduled AME, see below.

Here are some photos of the fires and garbage left behind.

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

Accelerated Moving Event scheduled for Gompers Park homeless encampment

Alderman Nugent sent the following update on January 23, 2025:

I have received a letter from the Department of Family and Support Services and Mayor Johnson’s leadership team committing to begin the process for an Accelerated Moving Event (AME) at Gompers Park beginning the week of February 24, 2025. 

An AME matches people with available housing, resources, and safeguards to help prevent an individual from becoming unhoused again. This process takes time and results from previous AMEs have been positive. You can read more about pathways to permanent housing and support and AMEs in the City of Chicago’s Annual Report on Homelessness. 

Since September 2024, Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement (CARE) and Opioid Response Teams have been visiting Gompers Park. These teams include EMTs, Social Workers, and Recovery Coaches. Department of Family and Support Services Homeless Outreach and Prevention (HOP) teams have been helping people living at Gompers find housing. Last month, three individuals accepted shelter at the newly opened men’s shelter in Rogers Park. 

As we approach the AME at Gompers Park, I will share information as it becomes available. Opportunities to support and donate to those housed through the AME will be offered closer to the date.  

I want to thank the Department of Family and Support Services, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and other City Departments for their help during this process.

More information about the homeless encampment in Gompers Park is available in the previous issue of this newsletter.

Mayfair Public Library improvements

During the November Mayfair Civic Association meeting, Alderman Nugent’s office said that they were working hard to get funding and secure new property for the Mayfair Public Library. Additional details about this project were provided in the previous issue of this newsletter.

2025 municipal budget

Alderman Nugent opposed the $300MM property tax increase proposed by Mayor Johnson’s 2025 budget. At the November Mayfair Civic Association meeting, neighbors raised concerns about the budget reducing funding for the consent decree, though the Mayor’s Press Office later put out a statement addressing these concerns and clarifying the Mayor’s intent to honor the consent decree requirements. Final discussions and voting records are available on the video of the City Council meeting on December 16, 2024.

Alderman Nugent said the following on December 16, 2024:

Today I voted “No” on Mayor Johnson’s 2025 Budget. 

While I am grateful that this budget will not rely on a property tax increase, spending is still too high across the board, and the delay of a $40 million loan payment will likely have detrimental impacts on the city’s credit rating and ability to borrow in the future.

We could have balanced this budget using unspent eligible American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and finding efficiencies — not deferring loan payments and taxing industries vital to our economy.

As Aldermen, we must make sound financial decisions that meet our obligations and set us on a stable path forward. To me, this includes resources for first responders, funding for critical infrastructure and city services, investing in our neighbors and communities, and honoring our pension and debt commitments.

Throughout this budget process, your feedback has been appreciated. Thank you for calling and emailing my office with your thoughts and suggestions. My staff has informed me of concerns, which I brought with me to City Hall each day.

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 held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is on March 19 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/.

I am writing this letter the day before Halloween and 6 days before the election.  By the time you read it, your kids will have recovered from eating all of their trick or treat candies and we will know who will be our next President, and who will control the Senate and Congress (in the absence of prolonged post-election objections and claims of system errors or worse.) God help and bless us all!

During our last meeting we discussed proposals to expand the Mayfair Branch Library, the proposed relocation of Relativity Textiles from Lawrence to Pulaski Avenue, efforts to address migrant and homeless issues in Gompers Park, and a proposal to co-sponsor with Mayfair Park Advisory Council the installation of a small garden at the south-east edge of the Park to commemorate the substantial and continuing community work by long-time activist Wally Eliasen. 

Please plan to attend our next Zoom meeting at 6:30pm on November 14 when we will continue discussion of the foregoing items. We can also expect election commentary from Congressman Mike Quigley and Alderman Samantha Nugent. We will also discuss final preparations to host our Annual Holiday Celebration scheduled to be held in the Mayfair Park Fieldhouse beginning 6:00pm on December 12. This year’s Celebration will again feature a free all-ages dance performance, with Thwack Dance Company performing Christmas Oratorio. After the performance we will again gather in the Fifth Province Pub at the Irish American Heritage Center to celebrate Mayfair with fellow residents. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

2024 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 2024. 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 14 Annual Party Planning

December 12 Holiday Party

Wanted: The MCA is looking for a treasurer and membership manager

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 and membership manager. Those interested can contact MCA President Ron Duplack at rduplack@rieckcrotty.com. Thank you for your support!

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.

Updates from Congressman Quigley

Dana Fritz from the office of Congressman Mike Quigley was in attendance for the September 12 meeting and gave us the following updates:

• The Congressman is currently the ranking member of the House Transportation and Urban Development Committee and is hoping to chair the committee in the new Congress if things go well in November.
• In case you missed it, in May the Congressman requested $2MM for the Weber Spur Trail, which would allow progress on the project to continue. A planned 1.7-mile stretch of the trail that would run through parts of Sauganash, Peterson Park, Mayfair and Jefferson Park has been delayed for years (Nadig Newspaper, June 12, 2024).
• The Congressman’s office is currently looking at the FY25 budget and earmarks, targeting similar things to last year, including police vests, fire trucks, and fire department equipment.

Updates from State Rep Mike Kelly

Katie El-Ali from the office of State Rep Mike Kelly provided updates during the September 12 meeting. They’re working with Alderman Nugent to address the homeless encampment at Gomper’s Park. Veto session begins in November after the election, see here for the calendar.

If you have ideas for new legislation that you think would be helpful for the district or thoughts on existing bills that haven’t been voted on yet, Representative Kelly is always willing to hear ideas. Their office has gotten a lot of calls about bills that are already voted on, but it would be better to know if people agree or disagree about parts of a bill before voting, so they can consider that information in their vote.

To track Illinois legislation, the following websites are used throughout the State: ilga.gov and legiscan.com/IL:

Here are direct links for legislation that Representative Kelly has either introduced or sponsored: ilga.gov, legiscan.com.

Constituents can also contact the Representative’s office in order to find out more information on any legislation that they may have learned about. They may not have the answer immediately, but will do their best to get the information requested in a timely manner.

Homeless encampment at Gompers Park

There is a homeless encampment at Gompers Park. While there was a large migrant group not too long ago, the current residents are not migrants. Some encampment residents are suffering from mental illness and drug addiction. At the encampment there has been public drug use, large piles of garbage, and other issues. theft of electricity from the Salvation Army, a tent that has caught fire, and a general feeling in the community that it’s not safe to be in the park.

For more information on this issue and how to get involved, see Reviving Gompers Park: A Community Call to Action later in this issue.

Mayfair Fest

Jon Litwin, President of the Mayfair Park Advisory Council, said this year’s Mayfair Fest went very smoothly in terms of setup and teardown. The three local bands that played were great, and people enjoyed the beer that was donated to sell by Maplewood, though it was difficult getting through the alcohol permitting process for the event. Thanks to Mayfair Park Advisory Council and volunteers for putting together such a wonderful event for the neighborhood to enjoy.

From Mayfair Park Advisory Council:

Endorsement of NRC forest grant application

At the September 12 meeting, MCA President Ron Duplack mentioned that he received a letter from James O’Reilly of North River Commission asking for an endorsement of their application for the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry grant. Their project aims to “encourage the growth of our tree canopy in commercial corridors, vacant lots, and private properties within Mayfair and the entirety of the Albany Park area.” Duplack said that there was no downside to the grant. He noted that the area is in need of improved tree coverage after losing many ash trees from the emerald ash borer, and we could always use more trees. Following discussion, it was agreed that support should be provided. A copy of the letter is provided here.

Relativity Textiles owner looking to purchase wallpaper factory

At the September meeting it was mentioned that Erin Minckley, local artist and owner of Relativity Textiles, was looking to buy a local wallpaper factory that Minckley uses to print her designs. After 50 years in operation, the owner of Artisan Handprints (4234 N Pulaski Rd) has retired and his wallpaper printing factory has gone out of business. Minckley has started a GoFundMe to help fund purchasing the property. The following is the press release about the initiative to purchase the property:

For questions or updates on this initiative, contact Erin Minckley at erin@relativitytextiles.com or 312-350-5406.

Annual holiday party

Plans for the annual MCA holiday party on December 12 were discussed in October and we decided to do something similar to last year, with a performance by Thwack Dance Company at the Mayfair Park field house (4550 W Sunnyside Ave). Last year, Thwack did a great job performing to a Christmas oratorio with an Elizabethan style. After the dance performance, people can gather at the Fifth Province pub at the Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N Knox Ave). If you have thoughts on this, you can send them to Ron Duplack at rduplack@rieckcrotty.com or share them at the November meeting. Final details will be shared as the date approaches.

Assessing community use of Mayfair Branch Library

On October 7 there was a community open house at the Mayfair Branch Library (4400 W Lawrence Ave) to discuss possibilities for enhanced library services in the neighborhood. The event was focused on gathering community input on how people use, or would like to use, the library. Alderman Nugent was in attendance along with representatives from the Public Building Commission of Chicago, Chicago Public Library, and the Department of Fleet and Facilities Management.

MCA meeting attendees discussed the possible expansion of the current branch location into the rest of the building, which includes two currently-vacant storefronts on its west side. The building is relatively new (built in the past 25 years) and thought to be in good condition.

Questions were raised about what prompted the initiative, where the money would come from, the anticipated demographics of the users, and what features were common or popular in libraries today; the following articles were found related to this topic:

• ALA study on how Gen Z and Millennials use public libraries
• Pew Research study on what people want from their library

If you have ideas on this, you can send them to Alderman Nugent’s office at 773-736-5594 or via email at Ward39@CityOfChicago.Org.

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

Firefighter safety

In early October, I introduced an ordinance designed to help protect firefighters as they respond to fires in buildings with skylights and other roof openings. After firefighter Lt. Andrew “Drew” Price tragically died from falling through a roof opening while responding to a fire in Lincoln Park, Alderman Marty Quinn and I began working on ways to prevent this from happening again. The ordinance requires openings on flat roofs, like skylights and light shafts, to be covered or protected, rather than remaining open. It was an honor to have Lt. Price’s wife, Lara, speak in support of the ordinance. The ordinance unanimously passed the City Council on October 9, 2024.

City Council budget hearings

City Council Budget Hearings begin the first week of November. During this two-week process, Department Commissioners and leadership appear in front of council members to present their budgets and answer questions. These budget hearings are all a part of the proposed 2025 Budget by Mayor Johnson. You can find the 2025 Budget Forecast here: Mayor Johnson’s 2025 Budget Forecast.

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.

Reviving Gompers Park: A Community Call to Action

By Lynn Burmeister, Gail Beitz and Lisa Stringer

Introduction

Gompers Park, a cherished green space in our community, has become the center of a pressing issue. What began as a single tent has grown into a small encampment, raising concerns about safety, sanitation, and the overall well-being of both the unhoused individuals living there and the community members who cherish this natural oasis.

The Rise of the Encampment

For years, one unhoused individual called Gompers Park home, but over the past two years, the number of tents has steadily increased. By the summer of 2024, community concerns voiced during Beat 1712 CAPS meetings led to the formation of the Restore Gompers Park Coalition. Neighbors rallied together, determined to address the challenges facing both the park and people in the encampment.

The Coalition’s Mission

The Restore Gompers Park Coalition is committed to amplifying the voices of those living in the encampment and advocating for the park’s restoration. Our goal is to ensure that Gompers Park returns to a beautiful natural space for all to enjoy while also addressing the needs of the unhoused individuals who currently find shelter there.

Community Engagement

In a show of solidarity, the coalition launched a petition campaign, collecting 450 signatures. This grassroots effort demonstrated strong community support and was accompanied by a cover letter detailing the situation, along with photos and impact statements from neighbors, including children. These materials were submitted to the Mayor, Alderman Nugent, the Chicago Park District Board, and the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS).

City Response and Solutions

The DFSS regularly visits the encampment to offer shelter and housing options. Unfortunately, many individuals have declined these offers. Through this process, we learned that an Accelerated Moving Event (AME) could provide rapid rehousing, connecting those in the encampment with apartments, counseling, job training, and mental health support. Those living in the tents are given 30 days to relocate to housing, either on their own or supported by DFSS, and vacate from the park.

This has proven to be very successful in getting the unhoused into housing (more info). The coalition, alongside Alderman Nugent, has been advocating for the city to schedule an AME for Gompers Park. Alderman Nugent has sent multiple letters to the Mayor about the issue (latest letter).

The Recent Community Meeting

In September, the Chief Homelessness Officer, Sendy Soto, met with the community, drawing over 250 attendees. Unfortunately, the meeting left many people feeling frustrated, as no concrete solutions were presented to address the community’s concerns. For more information on this meeting, see the article from Nadig Newspapers.

Ongoing Challenges

The challenges facing Gompers Park persist. A tent fire on October 7 resulted in no injuries, but the incident highlighted ongoing safety concerns (Nadig Newspapers article). Evidence of drug use, discarded needles, used sanitary products and unsanitary waste can be found throughout the park, affecting both the unhoused individuals and park visitors.

Conclusion and Call to Action

As we strive to reclaim Gompers Park, we invite everyone to join our efforts. Whether through advocacy, volunteering, or sharing information, your support is vital. Together, we can work towards a solution that honors both the dignity of those living in the encampment and the integrity of our beloved park.

Join our FB page for updates and how you can help our cause: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1413920399270944

The Restore Gompers Park Coalition has a GoFundMe page to help fuel getting an AME.  For a minimum of $15, we will deliver to you a Restore Gompers Park supporter yard sign asking for an AME.

In the Neighborhood

Walter “Wally” Eliasen recognized for decades of contributions to community

At Mayfair Fest on September 7, Walter “Wally” Eliasen was recognized by community leaders for his many contributions over the past 25 years, including involvement with the Mayfair Civic Association and Mayfair Park Advisory Council, cleaning up the neighborhood, maintaining public gardens, working with local businesses to raise funds for Park 593 and neighborhood beautification, among other things! MPAC President Jon Litwin said that Wally is the best volunteer MPAC has had since its inception. Wally, thanks so much for all that you do, this recognition is well-deserved!

See also:

• State Representative Mike Kelly’s post on Wally’s recognition
• Alderman Nugent’s resolution recognizing Wally

CAPS Meeting for Beat 1722

CAPS meetings for Beat 1722 are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. The next meeting is on November 20 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/.