Commercial Ave SSA

06/04/2026

ComEd is offering payments of up to $500 for small business customers who can’t pay their electric bills following two years of price spikes related to data center growth. The grant applications will be available June 15 on a first-come basis.

06/04/2026

Get ready to kick off the season with a Summer Painting event at Loncar’s Bar & Grill this weekend. Grab your friends for a Paint & Sip featuring music by DJ Chase and bottomless mimosas to keep the creative vibes flowing.

The event takes place this Sunday, June 7th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 3201 E. 92nd St. Entry is $35. Spots are limited, so secure yours by signing up in person with ChaCha at Loncar's or calling 773-734-3933 to RSVP.

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

🌿 Commercial Avenue is Blooming! 🌿

Our seasonal corridor planters have officially been installed along Commercial Avenue as part of SSA #5’s ongoing beautification efforts to help keep our business district welcoming, vibrant, and beautiful for everyone.

A special thank you to BuenGro, one of our local corridor businesses, for once again partnering with SSA #5 on this year’s planter installation. We are proud to continue supporting local businesses that help make Commercial Avenue shine. 🌱

As the plants establish over the next few weeks, you’ll begin to see them grow and fill out throughout the corridor. We’re excited to watch them bloom all summer long!

We kindly ask our community to help us care for these shared spaces. If you notice vandalism, damaged planters, or suspicious activity, please say something. These beautification efforts are an investment in our corridor and are here for everyone to enjoy.

📸 Stay tuned for progress photos as Commercial Avenue comes to life this season!

06/02/2026

Alderman Peter Chico and NorthPoint Development are hosting a 10th Ward Public Safety Day on Saturday, June 6. From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, residents can head to 10500 S. Ewing Ave. to pick up safety tools like battery doorbells, steering wheel locks, and car alarms. Chicago Police officers will also be on-site to discuss community concerns and offer safety tips.

Supplies are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis with a limit of one item per household. You must be at least 18 years old and provide a valid ID along with proof of 10th Ward residency to participate. It is a great opportunity to grab some free security gear and connect with local law enforcement to help keep the neighborhood safe.

06/01/2026

Save the date for G.O.D -Giving Others Dreams - TM South Chicago’s 4th Annual National Wear Orange Event. Pita’s Promise 4 Peace is hosting this free family gathering to stand together against gun violence on Saturday, June 6. Head over to Bessemer Park at 8930 S. Muskegon Ave between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM for an afternoon of community and connection.

05/29/2026

Check out the upcoming 10th Ward Public Safety Day hosted by Alderman Peter Chico. Residents can pick up free safety tools to help secure their homes and vehicles.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: 10500 S. Ewing Ave.

Available Items (While supplies last):

Battery Doorbells & Indoor Cameras

Car Alarms & Steering Wheel Locks

GPS Trackers & Solar LED Spotlights

Requirements:

Must be 18+ years old.

Must show valid ID and proof of 10th Ward residency.

Limit of one item per household.

Chicago Police officers will also be on-site to discuss community concerns and safety tips. Mark your calendars and arrive early!

05/28/2026

Help shape a new public art and gathering space at Steelworkers Park. Join the Community Visioning Session this Saturday, May 30th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at E 87th St. along Lake Michigan. You can meet the project team and use creative materials to share how this space should reflect the community's past and future.

If you cannot make it Saturday, the team will be at SkyART on Friday, June 5th, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. You can also provide input through an online survey at gatheringspaces.org/steelworkers-park. This project is a collaboration involving the Southeast Chicago Arts & Culture Committee, the Chicago Park District, and the SouthEast Chicago Historical Society.

05/15/2026

Join the Quantum Shore Groundbreakers program at the Quantum Shore Welcome Center located at 8555 S. Green Bay Ave. This program offers teens aged 16-18 the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals while exploring careers in architecture, real estate development, and construction. Participants will design real projects at the Quantum Shore site and get paid for learning new skills.

Interested teens can apply today at afterschoolmatters.org/apply. Interviews will be held on Thursday, May 28, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Welcome Center.

05/12/2026

Looking to leverage AI for your business? Check out this upcoming workshop at the Chicago Business Resource Expo hosted by the City of Chicago.

Presented by SCORE Chicago, this session focuses on using AI-powered tools to build functional products and websites quickly. It’s a great opportunity to learn how to move from a simple idea to ex*****on while using AI as a co-builder to accelerate innovation.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Location: Truman College

Register and find more information at Chicago.gov/BizExpo.