A private security guard working at the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., reportedly returned fire after a group of three people started harassing him and then fired read story
Stop work order issued after unimproved alley cleared out in North Edgebrook in Chicago


by BRIAN NADIG
A stop work order was issued in early April after a crew cleared out brush and other vegetation in a portion of a longtime unimproved alley on Mason Avenue in North Edgebrook, according to Alderman James Gardiner (45th).
Unimproved alleys are not uncommon in Edgebrook and often serve as an extension of backyards. City policy does not allow the placement of materials, such as gravel, in unimproved alleys for the purposes of allowing longterm access to properties.
“As of now the owner of the property at 7111 N. Mason does not have authorization to remove any soil in the unimproved alley and a stop work order was issued,” Gardiner said in a letter to residents. “A licensed landscaper will be hired by the property owner to work with the city and present a design to complete the corrective work. The proper personnel from the city will decide if that design meets the necessary requirements.”
The brush was cleared out behind three or four parcels that abut the alley. Some residents reported that it appeared that preparations were being made for a new garage.
The city’s policy regarding unimproved alleys states that permits for the construction of garages along an unimproved alley “are routinely denied.”
“Unpermitted users are subject to citation at the rate of $500 per day, per incident, damages to the city, and the cost of returning the public way to its original or better condition,” the policy states.
Residents will be meeting this week with Gardiner and representatives of several city agencies to discuss the alley.
The 7100 block of Mason backs up to the former Vollmar Clay Products site, 5835 W. Touhy Ave., and a representative for the property said in 2023 that a car wash has been considered for the parcel but that there is no timetable for the site’s redevelopment. A car wash is allowed under the site’s C1-1 zoning.

- Police search for reported suspects after exchange of gunfire between group and security guard working at Jefferson Park CTA terminalA private security guard working at the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., reportedly returned fire after a group of three people started harassing him and then fired their guns toward him during an incident at about 5:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, according to Chicago police. Officers reported finding 23 shell casings and
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- 45th Ward Dems endorse S Gronkiewicz-Doran for alderpersonby BRIAN NADIG 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson Michael Rabbitt and his Dems 45 organization have endorsed Jefferson Park resident S Gronkiewicz-Doran in the ward’s aldermanic race, which will be held on Feb. 23, 2027. Incumbent Alderman James Gardiner, who is on leave from his firefighting job while he serves on the City Council, is seeking
- New business in the works for former CVS site at Milwaukee & Lawrence in Jefferson Parkby BRIAN NADIG A new business, possibly a daycare, is in the works for the former CVS Pharmacy at the southeast corner of Milwaukee and Lawrence avenues. The pharmacy closed in January of 2020, but CVS reportedly continued to pay rent for several years after the store’s closing. The site includes an approximately 10,000-square-foot building
- Gunfire reported at Jefferson Park CTA Terminal on Saturday morningby BRIAN NADIG A possible suspect is in custody after gunfire was reported at or near the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., at about 5:20 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, according to Chicago police. Officers recovered four shell casings, and detectives are reviewing area surveillance footage, according to police. It’s not clear at
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A man was stabbed in his hand at about 4:50 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, on a CTA Blue Line train near the Harlem station, 5550 N. Harlem Ave., after a read story
by BRIAN NADIG 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson Michael Rabbitt and his Dems 45 organization have endorsed Jefferson Park resident S Gronkiewicz-Doran in the ward’s aldermanic race, which will be held read story
by BRIAN NADIG A new business, possibly a daycare, is in the works for the former CVS Pharmacy at the southeast corner of Milwaukee and Lawrence avenues. The pharmacy closed read story
by BRIAN NADIG A possible suspect is in custody after gunfire was reported at or near the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., at about 5:20 a.m. Saturday, read story
by BRIAN NADIG A luxury hotel and spa for cats is planned for a vacant one-story office building at 5510 W. Montrose Ave. in the Jefferson-Portage Park area. Local resident read story
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