Alderman Matt Martin

𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫. That means using the money we already have now, and looking at new local funding solutions.

Because one thing is clear: we can’t sit around and wait on the federal government to solve this crisis for us.

Millions in loans to replace lead pipes pumping water into Chicago homes remain unspent City officials on Monday said they plan to accelerate spending to replace lead service lines in 2026. The city also remains far behind telling Chicagoans of the health risks.

🚰 Chicago has more lead service lines than any other city in the country.

Here’s the unbelievable part: over $200 million is already set aside to replace them — but City Departments have 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴, which expire next year.

(1)

Recent zoning decision.

Alderman Matt Martin speaking on a megaphone to a group of cyclists. His urban arrow is in front of him

Alderman Andre Vazquez and 47th Ward chief of staff Josh Mark biking together on the Leland Greenway

A guy in a shirt that says Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Chicago

Neighborhood bike ride with @aldermanmattmartin.bsky.social, @andrefor40th.bsky.social, and the Dutch consulate of Chicago!

Blue-and-green illustrated poster reading ‘47th Ward Community Bike Ride.’ Drawing of adults and kids riding bicycles on a grassy hill. Text: ‘Join Alderman Martin for our annual ward bike ride—family-friendly tour of the 47th Ward ending with ice cream or beer.’ Details: Friday, Sept. 12 at 6 PM; meet at Lincoln & Sunnyside. Matt Martin logo at bottom.

Green-and-gray poster titled ‘40th Ward e-Bike-a-palooza! Presented by the 40th Ward Environmental Board.’ Event at Welles Park (by the gazebo) on Friday, Sept. 12, 5:30–7:30 PM. Big box of highlights: test ride e-bikes (ID or driver’s license required), learn how e-bikes can fit into your life, and get tips from Chicago’s SAFE Ambassadors. Note invites joining the 47th Ward Community Bike Ride starting 6 PM at Lincoln & Sunnyside with Alderman Matt Martin; a family-friendly tour of ward landmarks and projects. Photos show a long-tail e-bike carrying a child and a front-loader cargo e-bike. Bottom row shows partner logos and the names Andre Vasquez and Matt Martin.

Tomorrow, Friday Sept 12th come to Welles Park at 5:30pm to test ride different ebikes, then afterwards at 6pm we will do a group ride through the neighborhood to see all the new infrastructure

RSVP docs.google.com/forms/d/1KMn...

@andrefor40th.bsky.social 🤝 @aldermanmattmartin.bsky.social

Recent zoning decision.

The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying.

Political violence has no place in this country and should never become the norm.

I’m sending my sympathies to his family and friends at this time.

Trump's not about "law and order."

He's about headlines, political payback, and protecting people just like him: corrupt politicians and wealthy businessmen. (6)

American Convicted of Murder Is Freed by Trump From Venezuela Prison

Remember when Trump bragged about “keeping us safe” by deporting Venezuelan immigrants without due process to a mega-prison in El Salvador?

Meanwhile, in a prisoner swap, Trump freed an American man convicted of a triple homicide. He now lives free in the U.S. (5)
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/w...

The Trump admin also ordered the reassignment of specialized IRS teams that had helped prosecute corrupt politicians like Blagojevich, Mike Madigan, and Ed Burke.

(4)

During his first term, Trump pardoned Gov. Blagojevich, who was infamously convicted for trying to sell a Senate seat and shake down a children’s hospital.

Then, Trump even floated giving him an ambassadorship. (3)

One of his first acts as President: pardoning nearly 1,600 Capitol rioters, including people who assaulted police officers. (2)

Trump says he's all about law and order. But remember who he gives a free pass. (1)

Trump cut half of all federal funding for gun violence prevention - programs that save lives, stop crimes before they happen, and give law enforcement more time to protect our communities.

He could restore every dollar today by giving up less than 0.1% of his massive border budget.

🚌 I joined the Hamilton Elementary Bike Bus today!

If you'd like to start a bike bus at your school, you can get started here: www.chicagofamilybiking.org/biketoschool

Submit feedback: aldermanmartin.com/development

CTA Faces 'Drastic Service Cuts' If State Funding Doesn’t Come Through, Agency Head Says The Regional Transportation Authority faces a $770 million dollar fiscal cliff in 2026 that could cut area-wide transit service by 40 percent. Springfield has not yet acted to help CTA, Metra and Pace...

The challenges facing CTA are immense from the budget cliff to slow zones. To start solving them, we need all of our government leaders focused on a shared vision: fast, reliable, and safe transit that connects every neighborhood.

Chicagoans deserve nothing less.

Measure Designed to Tighten Ethics Rules to Stop Mayor’s Office From Obstructing Probes Advances The measure unanimously endorsed by the Ethics and Government Oversight Committee had the support of both Inspector General Deborah Witzburg and Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry after negotia...

“When things go wrong with city government, Chicagoans deserve timely, thorough and transparent investigations that hold people accountable when necessary,” Ald. Matt Martin said. @wttw.bsky.social

Mayor Brandon Johnson, inspector general reach compromise on ethics reform Chicago aldermen advanced an ordinance Monday that restricts when the city’s Law Department can attend investigative interviews.

When something goes wrong, the City should be held accountable. That's why we need robust, independent investigations.

I'm proud to strengthen the integrity of those investigations, and am grateful to Dept leaders for working together to achieve this.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/14/m...

Submit feedback at buff.ly/bHptaCa

Recent zoning decision:

Mayor Brandon Johnson didn’t conduct formal national search for CTA head despite claiming otherwise, records show The CTA has been without a permanent leader since embattled former president Dorval Carter stepped down.

This is a pivotal moment for the CTA. We can make it safer, faster, and cleaner to get around the city. But not without a permanent leader or a real national talent search.

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/19/b...

The CFPB wanted medical debt to be left off credit reports. That's changed under Trump Under the Biden administration, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule barring medical debt from appearing on credit reports. Now, the agency is siding with the credit industry…

Medical debt isn't an indicator of financial responsibility and shouldn't impact your ability to sign a lease.

Disappointing but not surprising Trump sides with credit agencies over good policy. Chicago can help by forgiving years-old ambulance ride debt.

Chicagoans have demanded new leadership at the CTA for years.

Now, there's an opportunity to select an experienced and visionary leader to take on major challenges.

A transparent, thorough national search should be conducted to attract and consider the best possible candidates.

The first few years of a child's life are some of the most important for development and education. Head Start helps families in those years by providing child care and other support systems.

Trump's proposed cuts will leave students less prepared to succeed in elementary school and beyond.

Earlier this year, I introduced legislation to bar people with ties to anti-government extremist groups from City employment. I look forward to working with my colleagues to getting it done.

As the Trump administration steps aside, we need local leaders to step up. Just last week, City Council did just that by barring Jan 6th insurrectionists from being hired by City government. But we can do more. 2/

People who want to overthrow government shouldn't be able to collect a government paycheck. But the Trump administration is dismantling the ability of the federal government to root out anti-government extremism. 1/

Chicago's air ranked among the most polluted in America in new analysis Man-made air pollution is decreasing, but overall air pollution is worse due in part of wildfire smoke, according to a new analysis.

We can't afford backsliding on air quality in Chicago.

That means we need bold action that confronts the reality of climate change, including:

🚏Expand bus lines
🚆Rehab aging El infrastructure
🚶Safer streets for pedestrians and bikers
🔌More public EV chargers

nbcchi.com/QuBOa0W

My thanks to groups including Organizing for Plastic Alternatives for their leadership, and to Committee Chairs Hadden and Rodriguez Sanchez for convening us.