Alderperson Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Chicago

09/13/2026

Yesterday marked 25 years since terrorists flew 2 planes into the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon, and a third plane crashed in Pennsylvania.

Nearly 3,000 people––family members, friends, neighbors, first responders––died that day, and so many more were impacted in the months years that followed. First responders and so many others impacted by carcinogenic particulate matter, died after not being able to access appropriate healthcare. The wars and conflicts that were initiated as a response to that attack killed millions more.

I recall being in downtown Chicago when the first plan hit, and the dread of thinking that Chicago might be next as we hurried back home when offices downtown closed. It was a surreal feeling, and one I will never forget. Thinking of the sheer amount of lives lost as a result is beyond sobering. I pray for peace to all of those who have lost someone and who have been impacted, but more than that, I hope that we may someday learn to not repeat the cycle of conflict into the future––because we know that if we do not learn from the past, we are doomed to repeat it.

09/12/2026

The alderman started donning a yellow vest and stop sign for about an hour each morning on Western after a car crash related to water maintenance work nearby — and the city failed to send a crossing guard out to help.

09/12/2026

Shana Tova! Wishing a sweet new year to all who celebrate, from all of us here at the 40th Ward.

09/10/2026

Concerned about data centers? Join a Town Hall in Chicago with State Reps. Cassidy and Williams September 22nd to learn how you can take action!

🗓 Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, from 6 p.m to -8 p.m.
📍 Center on Halsted, Reception Hall, 3656 N Halsted St. Chicago

The Town Hall will include a panel presentation with expert speakers from the ICJC, breakout small group discussions, a Q&A portion with State Reps. Kelly Cassidy and Ann Williams, sponsors of the POWER Act, and a light meal provided. Register at bit.ly/LetsTalkDataCenters

The data center build out is being pushed by some of the biggest and most powerful corporations in the world, but it isn’t inevitable, and it doesn’t have to come at the expense of Illinois families. Participants of the event will discuss data center development in IL, the impacts on community members, and the policy solutions in the Protecting our Water, Energy, and Ratepayers (POWER) Act. The evening will wrap up with recommendations on how you can take action to help pass the bill this Fall.

09/10/2026

This week marks the one-year anniversary of Operation Midway Blitz.

It’s easy to look back on the past year and reflect on only what we lost, because we lost so much: 4,000 neighbors abducted. 2,700 neighbors deported. Lives lost. Responders shot. Children tear-gassed. We will carry the trauma we went through as a city for a long time.

But I also want to reflect on what we found out about ourselves as a City—because we did not just sit back and watch this horror unfold. We stood up and fought back. Neighbors poured onto the streets in the hundreds to pass out whistles and defend their communities. Protestors faced down tear gas to stand up for the rights of their neighbors. Rapid response teams organized to protect their neighborhoods. I have never been prouder to be a Chicagoan.

As harrowing as those 68 days were, we know the trauma is not over. In August alone, over 100 of our neighbors were detained. ICE is still raiding Home Depots, abducting people outside of schools, and crashing into people’s vehicles to conduct their campaign of cruelty.

This is not a battle that began and ended in 2025. It is a sustained campaign against the forces of facism and racism. It will take time, and it will take all of us. I am so grateful to be in this fight with you, and we will continue to stand up and defend the rights of our neighbors, for as long as it takes.

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

Interested in booking an event at Ainslie Arts Plaza? Submit a request to 40thWard.org/contact

09/09/2026

Bike the Drive was a blast! It was a great time riding with Cook County Commissioner Dem Nominee Drake Warren and State Rep Dem Nominee Demi Palecek! More content to come!